Some Properties of Membranes in Nematic Solvents

(Received 11 July 1995, received in final form 25 September 1995, accepted 4 October 1995)

Abstract
The fluctuation spectrum of membranes in nematic solvents is altered by the boundary condition imposed on the bulk nematic director by the curved membrane. We discuss some properties of single and multi-membrane systems in nematic solvents, primarily based on the Berreman-de Gennes model. We show that: membranes in nematic solvents are more rigid and less rough than in their isotropic counterparts; have a different Helfrich steric stabilization energy, proportional to d^-3, and hence a different compression modulus in the lamellar state; and can exhibit phase separation via unbinding during a quench into the nematic state. We also discuss the preparation and possible experimental effects of nematic-mediated surfactant membrane system.