ON SOME ELASTIC INSTABILITIES IN BIAXIAL NEMATICS

Citation
S. Sukumaran et Gs. Ranganath, ON SOME ELASTIC INSTABILITIES IN BIAXIAL NEMATICS, Journal de physique. II, 7(4), 1997, pp. 583-601
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Physics, Atomic, Molecular & Chemical",Mechanics
Journal title
ISSN journal
11554312
Volume
7
Issue
4
Year of publication
1997
Pages
583 - 601
Database
ISI
SICI code
1155-4312(1997)7:4<583:OSEIIB>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
Within the framework of the continuum elastic theory of biaxial nemati c liquid crystals, we have addressed ourselves to the structure, stabi lity and energetics of some singular and non-singular topological defe cts, and certain director configurations. We find that certain nonsing ular hybrid disclinations could be energetically favourable relative t o certain half-strength disclinations. The interaction between singula r hybrids depends strongly on the biaxial elastic anisotropy. We sugge st possible defect structures that can exist in spherical droplets of biaxial nematics. Further we find structural instabilities, in confine d geometries, arising due to the inherent biaxiality of the system.