Forces in nematic liquid crystals constrained to the nanometer scale under hybrid anchoring conditions

• Published in: Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Vol. 71; no. 4 Pt 1; p. 041703
• Main Authors: Zappone, B, Richetti, Ph, Barberi, R, Bartolino, R, Nguyen, H T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2005

Using a surface forces apparatus we have studied two thermotropic nematic liquid crystals (5CB and ME10.5) subjected to hybrid (homeotropic/planar) anchoring conditions. A film of nematic material is constrained between two curved smooth surfaces separated by less than 2500 A . The intersurface forc...