MORPHOGENESIS IN NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL POLYMER MATERIALS

Materials used in such optical del ices as Bat panel displays often co nsist of liquid crystal droplets dispersed in a polymer matrix. Becaus e the behavior of the devices depends on the size, shape, and distribu tion of these droplets, understanding pattern formation in these mater ials is crucial for optimal processing. The droplets can be formed in a number of ways, all of which combine the processes of phase separati on and orientational ordering. The fact that these two processes are c oupled makes this problem both theoretically and computationally chall enging.