DOI: 10.1051/jp2:1996101
J. Phys. II France 6 (1996) 1175-1182
On the Theory of Domain Walls in Planar Nematic Films
P. Schiller and F. ZeitlerMartin-Luther-Universität, Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Mühlpforte 1, 06108 Halle/Saale, Germany
(Received 8 January, revised 1 April 1996, accepted 24 April 1996)
Abstract
The theory of simple domain walls in planar nematic films is reconsidered taking into account
azimuthal director rotations additionally. A perturbation treatment is useful to derive analytical
equations which are asymptotically valid in the limit of small distortion amplitudes. In comparison
to previously known approaches a more complete description leads to a correction in the formula for
the wall thickness. This correction also influences the shape of closed domains and causes an array
of walls in materials with high elastic anisotropy.
© Les Editions de Physique 1996