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Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Orientational Transition in a Liquid Crystal Triggered by the Thermodynamic Growth of Interfacial Wetting Sheets
Published on: May 15, 2017
Marangoni convection driven by temperature gradient near an isotropic-nematic phase transition point
Jun Yoshioka1, Tasuku Sakikawa1, Yuki Ito1
1Department of Physical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-5877, Japan.
Abstract:
Marangoni flow driven by a temperature gradient was observed near the isotropic-nematic phase transition point. By applying the gradient to a liquid crystalline material in sandwich cells, it was possible to measure the flow field near the air interface using the photobleaching method. In the isotropic phase, the direction of the observed flow was opposite to that in the nematic phase. Moreover, when the measurement was performed in the coexistence state of these phases, the flow direction depended on the coating materials of the cell substrates. These singular flow properties are explained well by the singular changes in surface tension and the shape of the air interface near the transition point.
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