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Effect of anchoring energy and elastic anisotropy on spherical inclusions in a nematic liquid crystal

Richard James and Jun-ichi Fukuda (福田順一)
Phys. Rev. E 88, 010501(R) – Published 8 July 2013

Abstract

This paper explores how pairs of spherical particles with homeotropic (normal) surface anchoring cluster when immersed in nematic liquid crystal. By means of the Landau-de Gennes continuum theory we calculate how the equilibrium separation of a particle pair depends on the anchoring energy at the particle surface and the elastic anisotropy of the liquid crystal. We find that, for modest to strong anchoring strengths, the particle separation depends linearly on the elastic anisotropy and the inverse of the anchoring strength. Thus, the anchoring strength can be estimated by measuring the particle-pair separation.

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  • Received 24 January 2013

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.88.010501

©2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Richard James1,2,* and Jun-ichi Fukuda (福田順一)1,†

  • 1Nanosystem Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba 305-8568, Japan
  • 2Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom

  • *rwjames@gmail.com
  • fukuda.jun-ichi@aist.go.jp

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Issue

Vol. 88, Iss. 1 — July 2013

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