DYNAMICS OF PHASE-SEPARATION IN MESOMORPHIC MIXTURES

We describe the dynamics of phase separation and transition processes, in binary mesomorphic mixtures with the help of a system of two coupl ed partial derivative equations. We emphasize, both analytically and n umerically, that, depending on the regions of the phase diagram, the d ynamical behaviour may result either from a two step process (first th e phase transition, then the phase separation) or from a process showi ng salient features of the Cahn-Hilliard spinodal decomposition (bicon tinuous periodic networks in the transient stages). The dynamics of ev olution of the domain patterns are illustrated with the help of numeri cal simulations in which homeotropic and planar anchorages are visuali zed.