title: Phase behaviour of polarizable colloidal hard rods in an external electric field: a simulation study.
abstract: We present a double-charge model for the interaction between parallel polarizable hard spherocylinders subject to an external electric field. Using Monte Carlo simulations and free-energy calculations, we predict the phase behaviour for this model as a function of the density and electric field strength, at a fixed length-to-diameter ratio L/D = 5. The resulting phase diagram contains, in addition to the well-known nematic, smectic A, ABC crystal, and columnar phases, a smectic C phase, and a low temperature crystal X phase. We also find a string fluid at low densities and field strengths, resembling results found for dipolar spheres.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, Leuvenlaan 4, 3584 CE Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Troppenz
authors.affiliation: Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Filion
authors.affiliation: Institute for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht University, Leuvenlaan 4, 3584 CE Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Roij
authors.affiliation: Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolein
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dijkstra