Controlling the location of defects in nematic shells

We study nematic shells with four s=+1/2 defects and vary the elastic constant anisotropy of the liquid crystal by approaching the nematic-to-smectic phase transition temperature. We find the defects ultimately arrange themselves along a great circle, consistent with recent expectations. Changing the elastic constant anisotropy provides an alternative route to changing the shell thickness inhomogeneity for controlling the defects location.