Sharp-interface nematic-isotropic phase transitions with flow
Fried, Eliot
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/346
Description
Title
Sharp-interface nematic-isotropic phase transitions with flow
Author(s)
Fried, Eliot
Issue Date
2006-06
Keyword(s)
nematic-isotropic phase transitions
Abstract
We present a sharp-interface theory for phase transformations between the isotropic and uniaxial nematic phases of a flowing liquid crystal. These equations include a supplemental interface condition which expresses the balance of configurational momentum. As an application, we study the behavior a spherical isotropic drop surrounded by a radially-oriented nematic phase. For this problem, the bulk and interfacial equations collapse to a single nonlinear second-order ordinary differential equation for the radius of the droplet. We determine and study the stability of the corresponding equilibria. In addition, we find that motion of the interface generates a backflow in the nematic phase. Our analysis indicates that a backflow measurement can be used to determine independently the density difference between the isotropic and uniaxial nematic phases.
Publisher
Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (UIUC)
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