Abstract
Calculations are presented giving the stable equilibrium states of nematic liquid crystals confined between non-co-axial circular cylinders subject to the condition that the director be normal to the bounding surfaces. The one-constant theory of nematics is employed and emphasis is laid on cases for which the minimizing director field does not lie in the plane perpendicular to the cylinders. Calculations are made of the force that the nematic exerts on the cylinders, tending to make them co-axial. The numerical problem faced is that of finding, for the Dirichlet energy, minimizing maps to S2, from a region in ℝ2 bounded by non-concentric circles. The method employed is a finite-element implementation of a projected gradient method for which the energy decreases at each iteration.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
