SURFACE-INDUCED ORDER-PARAMETER PROFILES IN A NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL FROM MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS

Authors
STELZER J GALATOLA P BARBERO G LONGA L
Citation
J. Stelzer et al., SURFACE-INDUCED ORDER-PARAMETER PROFILES IN A NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL FROM MOLECULAR-DYNAMICS SIMULATIONS, Molecular crystals and liquid crystals science and technology. Section A, Molecular crystals and liquid crystals, 299, 1997, pp. 61-64
Citations number
6
Categorie Soggetti
Crystallography
Journal title
Molecular crystals and liquid crystals science and technology. Section A, Molecular crystals and liquid crystals → ACNP
ISSN journal
1058725X
Volume
299
Year of publication
1997
Pages
61 - 64
Database
ISI
SICI code
1058-725X(1997)299:<61:SOPIAN>2.0.ZU;2-5
Abstract
The tensor order parameter of a model nematic liquid crystal close to a rough surface has been analyzed by means of molecular dynamics simul ations. We show that the rough surface induces a smectic C layering. M oving towards the bulk, the smectic order disappears and a depression in the uniaxial orientational order below its bulk value occurs, accom panied by a considerable biaxiality. Correspondingly, the director ori entation undergoes a strong distortion localized within a few molecula r lengths.