Axisymmetric skyrmion-like structures in spherical-cap droplets of chiral nematic liquid crystal

Abstract Orientational structures in spherical-cap droplets of chiral nematic liquid crystal are investigated experimentally and numerically. The droplets under the study have homeotropic anchoring with a flat rigid substrate and either degenerated planar or homeotropic anchoring with spherical interface between the liquid crystal and the isotropic liquid. The axially symmetric skyrmion-like structures arise when the droplet size is large enough with respect to the cholesteric pitch. The influence of electric field on the orientational structures is studied.