MONTE-CARLO SIMULATIONS OF STABLE POINT-DEFECTS IN HYBRID NEMATIC FILMS

Authors
CHICCOLI C LAVRENTOVICH OD PASINI P ZANNONI C
Citation
C. Chiccoli et al., MONTE-CARLO SIMULATIONS OF STABLE POINT-DEFECTS IN HYBRID NEMATIC FILMS, Physical review letters, 79(22), 1997, pp. 4401-4404
Citations number
20
Journal title
Physical review letters → ACNP
ISSN journal
00319007
Volume
79
Issue
22
Year of publication
1997
Pages
4401 - 4404
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(1997)79:22<4401:MSOSPI>2.0.ZU;2-O
Abstract
Monte Carlo (MC) simulations based exclusively on nearest-neighbor int ermolecular interactions reveal the existence of stable long-range def ormations and topological defects in a thin nematic film confined betw een two surfaces with antagonistic (normal and tangential) molecular o rientations. Thus the MC technique allows one to describe a delicate b alance of bulk elasticity and surface energy usually treated only with macroscopic theories.