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Cahn-Hoffman capillarity vector thermodynamics for liquid crystal interfaces.
Ae-Gyeong Cheong1, Alejandro D Rey
1Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, 3610 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B2.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|September 21, 2002
Summary
Researchers applied the Cahn-Hoffman capillarity vector formalism to nematic liquid crystal interfaces. This method reveals new normal forces and links surface tension anisotropy to bending stresses in liquid crystals.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
Background:
- The Cahn-Hoffman capillarity vector formalism is established for anisotropic interfaces in metallurgy.
- Anisotropic interfaces in nematic liquid crystals present unique challenges for capillarity analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To adapt the Cahn-Hoffman capillarity vector formalism for nematic liquid crystalline interfaces.
- To investigate the behavior of surface tension forces and interfacial phenomena in nematic liquid crystals.
Main Methods:
- Derivation of the nematic capillarity vector in terms of nematic surface energies.
- Formulation of surface tension forces, including tangential and normal components.
- Analysis of interfacial rotational effects, surface tension anisotropy, and bending stresses.
Main Results:
- The nematic capillarity vector was successfully derived and linked to surface energies.
- Surface tension forces were shown to include novel normal components due to anisotropy.
- Connections were established between interfacial rotation, anisotropy, and bending stresses.
Conclusions:
- The Cahn-Hoffman formalism provides a tractable method for analyzing capillarity in nematic liquid crystals.
- Interface configurations at a nematic triple line must satisfy a specific condition related to the sum of capillarity vectors.