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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

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Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
Spinodal dewetting of a nematic liquid crystal film
1Department of Chemistry, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
We discuss spinodal dewetting of a nematic film destabilized by Van der Waals forces, focusing on the case of non-antagonistic anchoring conditions. Using physical parameters pertinent to low-molecular-weight thermotropic liquid crystals, we predict a small damping effect. In the presence of an antagonistic applied magnetic field, the anchoring conditions become more significant, and can influence the shape and dynamics of the unstable modes.

