Temperature dependence of surface orientation of nematic liquid crystals

(Received 25 February 1993, accepted 7 May 1993)

Abstract
The mixed splay bend curvature elastic constant K₁₃ of nematics is shown to be proportional to S, the modulus of the quadrupolar orientational parmeter. One consequence is presented on the orientation of a nematic on a solid substrate : for an infinitely strong anchoring at an arbitrary angle, the surface energy contribution from K₁₃ gives an apparent surface orientation which depends on the temperature.