Temperature dependence of surface orientation of nematic liquid crystals

Abstract

The mixed splay bend curvature elastic constant K 13 of nematics is shown to be proportional to S, the modulus of the quadrupolar orientational parameter. One consequence is presented on the orientation of a nematic on a solid substrate: for an infinitely strong anchoring at an arbitrary angle, the surface energy contribution from K 13 gives an apparent surface orientation which depends on the temperature