MONTE-CARLO SIMULATION OF THE FREEDERICKSZ TRANSITION IN NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS

In this paper we present results of the Monte Carlo simulation of a 2D nematic liquid crystal model in the presence of an externally applied electric field, The molecular interactions were described by the Lebw ohl-Lasher Hamiltonian. The boundary conditions employed in the simula tions corresponded to the experimental configuration frequently used f or establishing the Frank elastic constants. The results are compared with the predictions of the phenomenological Ericksen theory. Prelimin ary results of simulations of an experimentally important case corresp onding to the nematic interacting with a spatially modulated electric field are presented. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.