During his distinguished scientific career, Alfred Saupe made important contributions to liquid crystal research, laying the groundwork on which much of the cur

Topological defects formed at symmetry-breaking phase transitions play an important role in many different fields of physics. They appear in many condensed-matt

This book on liquid crystals reports on the new perspectives that have been brought about by the recent expansion of frontiers and overhaul of common beliefs. F

Liquid crystals allow us to perform experiments that provide insight into fundamental problems of modern physics, such as phase transitions, frustration, elasti

Topological defects are the subject of intensive studies in many different branches of physics ranging from cosmology to liquid crystals and from elementary par