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Nematic-Isotropic Phase-Transition In A Liquid-Crystal Droplet, S. Kralj, S. Zumer, David W. Allender

Physics Publications

Possible phases in a nematic liquid crystal confined to a spherical submicrometer droplet embedded in a solid polymer are analyzed in terms of a Landau-de Gennes theory. For a droplet with a radial structure we show that the strength of the nematic-polymer interfacial interaction affects the nematic-paranematic (partially ordered isotropic phase) phase transition and may in addition induce a boundary-layer nematic phase. This boundary layer phase exists only in a narrow (approximately 0.1 K) temperature interval above the nematic phase for a restricted range of interfacial interactions. Also in the radial structure the degree of ordering is suppressed close ...