University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Sharp-interface nematic–isotropic phase transitions without flow

Cermelli, Paolo; Fried, Eliot; Gurtin, Morton E.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/307

Description

Title
Sharp-interface nematic–isotropic phase transitions without flow
Author(s)
  • Cermelli, Paolo
  • Fried, Eliot
  • Gurtin, Morton E.
Issue Date
2003-12
Abstract
We derive a supplemental evolution equation for an interface between the nematic and isotropic phases of a liquid crystal when flow is neglected. Our approach is based on the notion of configurational force. As an application, we study the behavior a spherical isotropic drop surrounded by a radially-oriented nematic phase: our supplemental evolution equation then reduces to a simple ordinary differential equation admitting a closed form solution. In addition to describing many features of isotropic-to-nematic phase transitions, this simplified model yields insight concerning the occurrence and stability of isotropic cores for hedgehog defects in liquid crystals.
Publisher
Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (UIUC)
Series/Report Name or Number
TAM Reports 1039
ISSN
0073-5264
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/307

Owning Collections

Technical Reports - Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (TAM) PRIMARY
TAM technical reports include manuscripts intended for publication, theses judged to have general interest, notes prepared for short courses, symposia compiled from outstanding undergraduate projects, and reports prepared for research-sponsoring agencies.