title: Monte Carlo simulations of fluid vesicles with in-plane orientational ordering.
abstract: We present a method for simulating fluid vesicles with in-plane orientational ordering. The method involves computation of local curvature tensor and parallel transport of the orientational field on a randomly triangulated surface. It is shown that the model reproduces the known equilibrium conformation of fluid membranes and work well for a large range of bending rigidities. Introduction of nematic ordering leads to stiffening of the membrane. Nematic ordering can also result in anisotropic rigidity on the surface leading to formation of membrane tubes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India. ram@physics.iitm.ac.in
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ramakrishnan
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Sunil Kumar
authors.forename: John H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ipsen
mesh_terms: D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009010:Monte Carlo Method
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial