Metric theory of nematoelastic shells

Abstract

We consider three-dimensional reshaping of a thin nematoelastic film upon nematic-isotropic transition in the field of a charge one topological defect, leading to either cone or anticone (d-cone) shells. The analysis is based on the relation between the shell metric and the tensor order parameter under the assumption of no elastic deformation and volume change. The shape of the shell can be modified by doping, creating cones with curved generatrices. Anticones necessarily have an even number of radial creases. The curvature singularity at the apex is resolved due to decay of the nematic order parameter at the defect core.