Surface-induced ordering of nematics in an external field: the strong influence of tilted walls.
Microscopic theory is used to investigate surface-induced order in a model nematic subjected to an external orienting field. The wall-particle interaction tends to orient particles perpendicular to the surface. It is shown that if the wall is tilted at approximately 45 degrees to the field, the reorientational effects can be an order of magnitude larger than those observed for perpendicular or parallel orientations. The surprising observation is associated with the breaking of a particular bulk symmetry. A possible practical application of the tilted geometry is briefly discussed.
Sokolovska
T G
TG
Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1.
Sokolovskii
R O
RO
Patey
G N
GN