Low–frequency acoustic waves in nematic elastomers

Abstract

We study the spectral and polarization properties of acoustic waves propagating in nematic liquid-crystalline rubber materials. We apply the viscoelastic theory of nematic elastomers in the low-frequency (hydrodynamic) limit. Dynamic soft elasticity, exhibited by ideal nematic elastomers under certain geometries of shear at low frequencies, leads to anomalous anisotropy of energy transfer and attenuation of transverse waves. The results suggest an application of this class of materials as an acoustic polarizer medium.