Surface tension of the isotropic-nematic interface - art. no. 010701

We present calculations of the pressure tensor profile in the vicinity of t he planar interface between isotropic liquid and nematic liquid crystal, us ing Onsager's density functional theory and computer simulation. When the l iquid crystal director is aligned parallel to the interface, the situation of lowest free energy, there is a large tension on the nematic side of the interface and a small compressive region on the isotropic side. By contrast , for perpendicular alignment, the tension is on the isotropic side. There is excellent agreement between theory and simulation both in the forms of t he pressure tensor profiles, and the values of the surface tension.