Fig. 3.
(A and C) Experimental λ-plate micrographs of nematic braids that form the knot and the Solomon link, respectively. The disclinations at the colloidal particles are traced with dashed lines for visual guidance. (B and D) Geometrically idealized, but topologically accurate P-T surfaces for the structures in A and C. The surface locates where the director is perpendicular to the far field at midheight (y direction). The colors encode the direction within this plane (D, Inset, Left). B omits the particles to pronounce the regular shape of the surface. D shows the P-T surface for structure C in perspective. Note the red shading at the cross-tangles that signifies vertical director field.