Shear-induced undulation of smectic-A: Molecular Dynamics simulations vs. analytical theory.
Experiments on a variety of systems have shown that layered liquids are unstable under shear even if the liquid layers are planes of constant velocity. We investigate the stability of smectic- A like liquids under shear using Molecular Dynamics simulations and a macroscopic hydrodynamic theory (including the layer normal and the director as independent variables). Both methods show an instability of the layers, which sets in above a critical shear rate. We find a remarkable qualitative and reasonable quantitative agreement between both methods for the spatial homogeneous state and the onset of the instability.
Soddemann
Th
T
Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, 55021 Mainz, Germany. Thomas.Soddemann@rzg.mpg.de
Auernhammer
G K
GK
Guo
H
H
Dünweg
B
B
Kremer
K
K
D003198:Computer Simulation; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013997:Time Factors
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers; C422409:liquid crystal polymer