Simulation of liquid crystal anchoring at an amorphous polymer surface from various initial configurations

We have used atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the an choring of a liquid crystal at the surface of an amorphous polymer. The sys tem studied consisted of the nematogen 5CB at the surface of amorphous poly ethylene. The simulations indicate a clear tendency to nearly homeotropic a nchoring. The fact that two starting configurations, one planar and one hom eotropic, lead to similar final configurations indicates that the observed final configurations represent the equilibrium state for the system under c onsideration.