Investigation of the phase transition at the nematic liquid crystal-wall interface with P4-interaction

Kayacan O.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, cilt.369, sa.2, ss.509-516, 2006 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 369 Sayı: 2
  • Basım Tarihi: 2006
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.physa.2006.01.083
  • Dergi Adı: Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.509-516
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: liquid crystals, surface order, phase transition
  • Manisa Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The nematic-isotropic phase transition is investigated for a sample in the shape of a slab of thickness d, using a self-consistent model. The interacting potential is given by a sum of the direct interaction of a given nematic molecule with the substrate and of one with the other nematic molecules due to the presence of the limiting surface. The variation of second- and fourth-rank long-range order parameters with temperature is investigated. To describe the behaviour of second- and fourth-rank order parameters at the surfaces and its profile inside the sample, a model based on the Maier-Saupe model including P4 interaction is used. In conclusion, we show the existence of a boundary layer in which the second- and fourth-rank order parameters can be greater or smaller than the one in the bulk. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.