Confined nematic polymers: order and packing in a nematic drop.
We investigate the tight packing of nematic polymers inside a confining hard sphere. We model the polymer via the continuum Frank elastic free energy augmented by a simple density dependent part as well as by taking proper care of the connectivity of the polymer chains when compared with simple nematics. The free energy ansatz is capable of describing an orientational ordering transition within the sample between an isotropic polymer solution and a polymer nematic phase. We solve the Euler-Lagrange equations numerically with the appropriate boundary conditions for the director and density field and investigate the orientation and density profile within a sphere. Two important parameters of the solution are the exact locations of the beginning and the end of the polymer chain. Pending on their spatial distribution and the actual size of the hard sphere enclosure we can get a plethora of various configurations of the chain exhibiting different defect geometry.
Svensek
Daniel
D
Department of Physics, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1111 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Veble
Gregor
G
Podgornik
Rudolf
R
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*
D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D004247:DNA