Zig-zag instability of an Ising wall in liquid crystals

We present a theoretical explanation for the interfacial zigzag instability that appears in anisotropic systems. Such an instability has been experimentally highlighted for an Ising wall formed in a nematic liquid crystal cell under homeotropic anchoring conditions. From an envelope equation, releva...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Chevallard, C, Clerc, M G, Coullet, P, J -M Gill
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 16.04.2001
Subjects
Anchoring
Asymptotic properties
Bifurcations
Crystals
Elastic limit
Elastic properties
Freedericksz transitions
Interface stability
Ising model
Liquid crystals
Nematic crystals
Order parameters
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Summary:We present a theoretical explanation for the interfacial zigzag instability that appears in anisotropic systems. Such an instability has been experimentally highlighted for an Ising wall formed in a nematic liquid crystal cell under homeotropic anchoring conditions. From an envelope equation, relevant close to the Freedericksz transition, we have derived an asymptotic equation describing the interface dynamics in the vicinity of its bifurcation. The asymptotic limit used accounts for a strong difference between two of the elastic constants. The model is characterized by a conservative order parameter which satisfies a Cahn-Hilliard equation. It provides a good qualitative understanding of the experiments.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.0104033