Extending the Maier-Saupe theory to cybotactic nematics

A theory of thermotropic nematic liquid crystals in which molecules form internally ordered clusters is presented. The formulation is based on the same molecular-field approximation and form of the anisotropic potential used in the Maier-Saupe theory. One uniaxial nematic and two macroscopically iso...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Liquid crystals 2010-06, Vol.37 (6-7), p.969-976
Main Authors: Droulias, S., Vanakaras, A.G., Photinos, D.J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anisotropy
Approximation
Clusters
Crystallography
cybotactic
Entropy
Liquid crystals
Materials science
Mathematical analysis
molecular theory
molecular-field approximation
Molecules
Nematic
nematics
Order parameters
Phase transitions
Phases
Temperature effects
Theory
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Summary:A theory of thermotropic nematic liquid crystals in which molecules form internally ordered clusters is presented. The formulation is based on the same molecular-field approximation and form of the anisotropic potential used in the Maier-Saupe theory. One uniaxial nematic and two macroscopically isotropic phases are predicted. The lower-temperature isotropic phase consists of thermodynamically stable clusters with internal orientational order. The transition from this phase to the nematic phase is characterised by the divergence of cluster size whilst the entropy and the order parameter change continuously.
ISSN:0267-8292
1366-5855
DOI:10.1080/02678292.2010.488819