Instability patterns in ultrathin nematic films: comparison between theory and experiment
Soft Condensed Matter
2011-02-18 v1
Abstract
Motivated by recent experimental observations [U. Delabre et al, Langmuir 24, 3998, 2008] we reconsider an instability of ultrathin nematic films, spread on liquid substrates. Within a continuum elastic theory of liquid crystals, in the harmonic approximation, we find an analytical expressions for the critical thickness as well as for the critical wavenumber, characterizing the onset of instability towards the stripe phase. Comparing theoretical predictions with experimental observations, we establish the utility of surface-like term such as an azimuthal anchoring.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1010.0832,
title = {Instability patterns in ultrathin nematic films: comparison between theory and experiment},
author = {O. V. Manyuhina and A. -M. Cazabat and M. Ben Amar},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1010.0832},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
6 pages, 3 figures, LaTeX macros EPL draft, accepted for publication in EPL