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Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets

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Published on: May 15, 2017

Orientational transition in a nematic liquid crystal at a patterned surface.

T J Atherton¹, J R Sambles

¹Thin Fim Photonics Group, School of Physics, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, England. t.j.atherton@ex.ac.uk

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

|October 10, 2006

Summary

Researchers explored nematic liquid crystal behavior on patterned surfaces. They found a potential spontaneous transition between states driven by weak azimuthal anchoring, with critical energy comparable to experimental values.

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Condensed Matter Physics
Physical Chemistry

Background:

Nematic liquid crystals exhibit unique responses to surface interactions.
Periodic patterned surfaces offer tunable boundary conditions for liquid crystals.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the free energy of a semi-infinite nematic in contact with a patterned surface.
To determine conditions for a spontaneous transition between different nematic states.

Main Methods:

Theoretical analysis extending Barbero's work.
Calculation of free energy for specific surface orientations (planar and homeotropic stripes).
Analysis of bulk free energy difference and critical azimuthal anchoring energy.

Main Results:

Free energy difference is proportional to the square root of K2/K1.
A spontaneous transition is possible if azimuthal anchoring energy is weak and K1 ≠ K2.
Critical azimuthal anchoring energy is approximately 10⁻⁶ J m⁻², dependent on stripe width and pattern period.

Conclusions:

The study provides a theoretical framework for understanding nematic behavior on patterned surfaces.
Calculated critical anchoring energy values are experimentally relevant.
Weak azimuthal anchoring can induce transitions in nematic liquid crystal structures.