SOME PROPERTIES OF MEMBRANES IN NEMATIC SOLVENTS

The fluctuation spectrum of membranes in nematic solvents is altered b y the boundary condition imposed on the bulk nematic director by the c urved membrane. We discuss some properties of single and multi-membran e systems in nematic solvents, primarily based on the Berreman-de Genn es model. We show that: membranes in nematic solvents are more rigid a nd less rough than in their isotropic counterparts; have a different H elfrich steric stabilization energy, proportional to d(-3), and hence a different compression modulus in the lamellar state; and can exhibit phase separation via unbinding during a quench into the nematic state . We also discuss the preparation and possible experimental effects of nematic-mediated surfactant membrane system.