Fluctuating Membranes with Tilt Order
Abstract
Thermal fluctuations are important for amphiphilic bilayer membranes since typical bending stiffnesses can be a few kB T. The rod-like constituent molecules are generically tilted with respect to the local normal for packing reasons. We study the effects of fluctuations on membranes with nematic order, a simplified idealization with the same novel features as realistic tilt order. We find that nematic membranes lie in the same universality class as hexatic membranes, i.e. the couplings that distinguish nematic from hexatic order are marginally irrelevant. Our calculation also illustrates the advantages of conformal gauge, which brings great conceptual and technical simplifications compared to the more popular Monge gauge.
Turn this paper into a full lesson
ArcXiv compiles a staged curriculum from this paper: 8-12 lessons across beginner → advanced, synthesised section guides, visuals, flashcards, a quiz, exercises, and on-demand deep dives per section. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.