title: Density-functional study of the nematic-isotropic interface of hard spherocylinders.
abstract: The Somoza-Tarazona density-functional theory is applied to the isotropic-nematic interface of hard spherocylinders with length (L)-to-diameter (D) ratios in the range L/D=5-20. Properties such as the density and orientational order-parameter profiles and the variation of interfacial tension with bulk nematic tilt angle agree qualitatively with results of previous studies at larger values of L/D using both computer simulation and the Onsager second-virial approximation. The minimum interfacial tension is obtained at a tilt angle of 90 degrees. For values of L/D approximately 5, it is found that the Onsager approximation predicts a spurious minimum in the interfacial tension at small tilt angles.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada and Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Velasco
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mederos
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Sullivan