Stabilising the Blue Phases
G. P. Alexander, J. M. Yeomans
Abstract
We present an investigation of the phase diagram of cholesteric liquid crystals within the framework of Landau - de Gennes theory. The free energy is modified to incorporate all three Frank elastic constants and to allow for a temperature dependent pitch in the cholesteric phase. It is found that the region of stability of the cubic blue phases depends significantly on the value of the elastic constants, being reduced when the bend elastic constant is larger than splay and when twist is smaller than the other two. Most dramatically we find a large increase in the region of stability of blue phase I, and a qualitative change in the phase diagram, in a system where the cholesteric phase displays helix inversion.
Create a lesson
Related papers
Nonparametric multiscale modeling of boundary lubrication: hexadecane in highly pressurized gold asperity contacts
Hannes Holey, Michael Moseler, Peter Gumbsch et al.
Asymmetric Ions in Solution are Similar to Active Brownian Particles
Setare Mostajabi Sarhangi, Dmitry V. Matyushov
Influence of twist direction and large deformation on soft material torsional contact
Yucai Hu, Pengfei Li, Michele Ciavarella et al.
Phase transitions and microphases in elastomers. II. Anisotropy-driven morphologies
Manu Mannattil, David Andelman, Haim Diamant
Comparing non-local granular fluid continuum models for silo discharge: Toward clogging prediction
Y. Zhou, Y. Wang, M. Li et al.
Residual semi-crystalline particles released during enzymatic degradation of plastics
Michael Schindler, Ludwik Leibler