Temperature dependence of surface orientation of nematic liquid crystals

A. Alexe-Ionescu , G. Barbero , Geoffroy Durand

The mixed splay bend curvature elastic constant K13 of nematics is shown to be proportional to S, the modulus of the quadrupolar orientational parmeter. One consequence is presented on the orientation of a nematic on a solid substrate : for an infinitely strong anchoring at an arbitrary angle, the surface energy contribution from K13 gives an apparent surface orientation which depends on the temperature.

Domaines: Articles anciens

A. Alexe-Ionescu, G. Barbero, Geoffroy Durand. Temperature dependence of surface orientation of nematic liquid crystals. Journal de Physique II, 1993, 3 (8), pp.1247-1253. ⟨10.1051/jp2:1993195⟩. ⟨jpa-00247901⟩