Theory of ferroelectric nanoparticles in nematic liquid crystals.
Recent experiments have reported that ferroelectric nanoparticles have drastic effects on nematic liquid crystals-increasing the isotropic-nematic transition temperature by about 5 K, and greatly increasing the sensitivity to applied electric fields. To understand these effects, we develop a theory for the statistical mechanics of ferroelectric nanoparticles in liquid crystals. This theory predicts the enhancements of liquid-crystal properties, in good agreement with experiments. These predictions apply even when electrostatic interactions are partially screened by moderate concentrations of ions.
Lopatina
Lena M
LM
Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA.
Selinger
Jonathan V
JV