Electric field effects on nematic wetting layers

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Kelly, G. and Mottram, N.J. and Ramage, A. (2005) Electric field effects on nematic wetting layers. Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, 438 (1). pp. 1835-1846. ISSN 1542-1406 (https://doi.org/10.1080/15421400590955541)

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Abstract

We present a theoretical investigation of the temperature and electric field dependence of nematic liquid crystal wetting layers close to an aligning substrate within a confined system. Using a mesoscopic Q tensor theory coupled to Maxwell's equations for the electric field, we consider the existence and stability of homogeneous nematic wetting layers close to the substrate. Numerical results are presented showing the phase diagram for the isotropic (paranematic), nematic and wetting layer states. The effect on the isotropic-wetting transition, from first order to second order, when an electric field is applied is then investigated.

ORCID iDs

Kelly, G., Mottram, N.J. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7265-0059 and Ramage, A. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4709-0691;
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