Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2025

High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
Published on: October 31, 2019
Faraday waves on a nematic liquid crystal, and its coupling with Marangoni convection about the thermal phase
O Vázquez-Rodriguez1, M Hernández-Contreras2
1Facultad de Ciencias en Física y Matemáticas Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, 29050 Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, México.
Abstract:
Using a linear hydrodynamic theory, we demonstrate that Faraday waves occur in liquid crystalline fluids. The use of already experimentally known material parameters of a N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline liquid crystal allows us to confirm and realize the predictions of this theory. It provides the critical wave number and necessary driving acceleration at instability wave onset. Additionally, these observables experience an abrupt change originated by Marangoni convection due to the temperature gradient at the isotropic-nematic phase transition temperature. Correspondingly, the Marangoni number versus temperature also shows a sharp change in the transition temperature.
Related Concept Videos
Phase Transitions: Vaporization and Condensation
Phase Transitions: Melting and Freezing
Magnetic Field due to Moving Charges
Consider a point charge moving with a constant velocity. Like the electric field, the magnetic field at any point is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charge and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between the source point and the field point. However, unlike the electric field, the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the plane containing the line...
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
Phase Transitions
Standing Waves in a Cavity

