1720530_IRG-3-Yodh_Kikkawa_Collings_Liquid_Crystals

Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM) images of three nematic liquid crystal droplets (16.6, 19.9, and 26.7 μm in radius) reveal a configuration transition at a critical magnetic field. Before the transition, droplets exhibit a deformed radial state with a point defect. After the transition, droplets adopt an axial-with-defect state, featuring a ring defect. The transition is highlighted in a magnified red circle region. Simplified schematics illustrate the defect structures before and after the transition. The magnetic field strength for each frame and the orientation of the polarizer and analyzer are indicated in the images. The text in the bottom of each image indicates the field strength in Tesla.