Numéro
J. Phys. II France
Volume 4, Numéro 5, May 1994
Page(s) 825 - 836
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/jp2:1994167
DOI: 10.1051/jp2:1994167
J. Phys. II France 4 (1994) 825-836

Temperature-driven polar anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals: computer simulations

B. Lin and P. L. Taylor

Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH 44106-7079, U.S.A.

(Received 18 June 1993, revised 25 January 1994, accepted 3 February 1994)

Abstract
Using a collective inverted-pendulum model, we have performed computer simulations of temperature-driven anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals. Behavior reminiscent of some of the experimentally observed anchoring transitions was obtained in our simulations. We have thus shown that anchoring transitions can be induced by the thermal motion of the substrate. These effects, which originate in molecules in direct contact with the substrate, then propagate into the bulk of the liquid crystal.



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