Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Statistical theory of the flexoelectric polarization for the uniaxial nematic phase
1Marian Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagellonian University, ulica Reymonta 4, 30-059 Kraków, Poland.
Abstract:
A statistical theory for the dipole flexoelectric (FE) polarization in liquid crystals is derived in the thermodynamic limit at small distortions and a small density. General microscopic expressions for the FE coefficients are rederived in the case of the uniaxial nematic phase. The expressions involve the one-particle distribution function and the potential energy of two-body short-range interactions. It is shown that, for wedge-shaped polar molecules, the FE coefficients are proportional to the longitudinal component of the molecule dipole moment. The FE coefficients include a term linear in P{2} and a quadratic form in P{j} (j-even). The theory is used to calculate the temperature dependence of the elastic constants and the FE coefficients for a system of rigid molecules similar to cones.
Related Concept Videos
Electrochemical Systems
Potential Due to a Polarized Object
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
Electrostatic Boundary Conditions in Dielectrics
Consider a case where both the mediums across a boundary are two different dielectric materials. Recall that the electric field and electric displacement are proportional and related through the material's permittivity.
The Phase Rule
Induced Electric Dipoles
Since the absolute value of potential energy holds no physical meaning, its zero value can be chosen as per...

