Modulated structures in nematic monolayers formed by symmetric molecules.
An analysis based on symmetry yields a general form for the deformation elastic energy of a nematic monolayer, formed by achiral symmetric molecules, deposited on a solid substrate. Lifshitz-invariant-like terms in the energy, which originate from the substrate field, can induce a modulated-tilt state if the anchoring energy is sufficiently low. A way to enhance the symmetry breaking is to apply a destabilizing magnetic or electric field that serves to lower the anchoring energy. In the case of an initial state with homeotropic alignment, the phase diagram displays a cusp-shaped tilt-modulated state intervening between two uniform tilt states.
Lelidis
I
I
Laboratoire de la Matière Condensée, Université de Picardie, 33 rue Saint-Leu, 80039 Amiens, France.
Barbero
G
G