Textures in thin films of nematic liquid crystals induced by strongly focusing a circularly polarized laser.

We investigate the rearrangement of the director in thin films of nematic liquid crystals caused by tightly focusing circularly polarized laser beams. We find either target or spiral patterns, depending on the topology of the director configuration at the position of the beam focus. The induced rearrangements of the director are governed by the viscosity of the media, the handedness of circular polarization, and the irradiation power of the laser. Experimental observations are interpreted using a model derived from nematic continuum theory.