Imaging and visualization of complex nematic fields

Modeling and experiments on nematic ordering in geometrically frustrated nematic and chiral nematic systems reveals diverse birefringent micro and sub-micro structures, including knotted and linked nematic braids, skyrmions, torons, and hopfions. Here, these complex defect structures are used to illustrate simulations of optical images and visualization of complex nematic fields. Particular attention is given to simulations of images obtained by three-photon excitation fluorescence polarizing microscopy that can unveil complex three dimensional nematic fields at the micrometer scale.