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Temperature-induced surface transition in nematic liquid crystals oriented by evaporated SiOx
G Barbero1, P Jägemalm, A K Zvezdin
1Dipartimento di Fisica del Politecnico di Torino and Istituto Nazionale di Fisica della Materia, INFM, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy.
Summary
Surface transitions in liquid crystals are explained by a thermal renormalization theory. This model accurately predicts temperature-dependent surface angles using the Maier-Saupe theory with one parameter.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Nematic liquid crystals exhibit temperature-dependent surface transitions.
- Surface orientation is crucial for liquid crystal display applications.
- Obliquely evaporated silicon oxide (SiOx) is used for surface alignment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze temperature-induced surface transitions in nematic liquid crystals.
- To validate a theoretical model for surface energy renormalization.
- To investigate the applicability of the Maier-Saupe theory to surface phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of experimental data on surface transitions.
- Application of mean field approximation for surface energy.
- Utilizing the Maier-Saupe theory for the nematic scalar order parameter.
Main Results:
- Experimental data aligns with the thermal renormalization theory.
- A good fit was achieved with only one free parameter.
- The model accurately describes polar and azimuthal angle behavior across temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The proposed theory successfully interprets surface transitions in liquid crystals.
- The Maier-Saupe theory provides a valid framework for surface order parameter.
- This work offers a predictive model for liquid crystal surface behavior.