FATE OF MAGNETIC WALLS IN NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS

Authors
SIMOES M PALANGANA AJ CARDOSO FC
Citation
M. Simoes et al., FATE OF MAGNETIC WALLS IN NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS, Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics, 58(2), 1998, pp. 2011-2017
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Physycs, Mathematical","Phsycs, Fluid & Plasmas
Journal title
Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics → ACNP
ISSN journal
1063651X
Volume
58
Issue
2
Year of publication
1998
Part
B
Pages
2011 - 2017
Database
ISI
SICI code
1063-651X(1998)58:2<2011:FOMWIN>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
The origin of the instability that leads to the disappearance of the o ne-dimensional periodic walls formed above Fredericksz's threshold of some nematic liquid crystals is investigated. It is shown that these w alls are built in a configuration that-even being an extreme of the el astic free energy-is not a local minimum, but a local maximum. The mec hanism that gives rise to this instability is investigated, and it is shown how the director's fluctuations lead to the destruction of the w alls.