共查询到20条相似文献,搜索用时 15 毫秒
1.
The azimuthal anchoring energy of the nematic liquid
crystal 4-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenil (5CB) on a
poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (teflon, PTFE) film is measured for
the first time. The PTFE film is deposed using the Wittmann and
Smith technique which consists on rubbing a bar of this polymer
against a glass substrate at a controlled temperature and
pressure. Measurements of the azimuthal anchoring energy are
made with a reflectometric technique which provides high
accuracy and sensitivity. The dependence of the azimuthal
anchoring energy on temperature and on the rubbing pressure is
investigated. The extrapolation length remains virtually
constant in the whole temperature range of the nematic phase
except for an increase of 25% close to the clearing temperature.
The azimuthal anchoring energy is somewhat strong and increases
with increasing the deposition pressure of PTFE. The observation
of a relevant pre-transitional anisotropy of the reflection
coefficients in the isotropic phase proves that the surface
interactions favor an excess of orientational order. Ageing of
the anchoring energy and gliding of the easy axis are
experimentally observed. Both these phenomena suggest the
presence of an anisotropic adsorbed layer of nematic molecules
on the PTFE film. 相似文献
2.
It is shown that a smectic A droplet deposited on a solid substrate treated for strong homeotropic anchoring is faceted at
the top in spite of the fact that there are no steps at the free surface, but instead edge dislocations in the bulk. The radius
of the facet and the full profile of the curved part of the droplet are determined as a function of the temperature in the
vicinity of a nematic-smectic A phase transition. It is shown that the observed profiles do not correspond to the actual equilibrium
shape, but to metastable configurations close to their point of marginal stability. In addition, we predict that the profiles
must be different for a given temperature depending on whether the droplet has been heated or cooled down to reach this temperature.
Finally, we discuss the problem of the formation of giant dislocations in big droplets (Grandjean terraces). 相似文献
3.
By use of a local stability criterion recently introduced, we predict the existence of a periodic saddle-splay Freedericksz (PSSF) transition that adds to the existing class of classical Freedericksz transitions driven in a nematic cell by an external field. Occurrence of the PSSF transition requires a saddle-splay elastic constant with a large enough magnitude and different anchoring strengths at the plates confining the nematic cell. Otherwise, either the PSSF transition does not occur at all, or it requires a field higher than that associated with the classical aperiodic splay Freedericksz (ASF) transition, in which case it is not observable. Here, we determine the threshold field for which the PSSF precedes the ASF transition, as well as the structure of the destabilizing mode. 相似文献
4.
P. Nozières 《The European Physical Journal B - Condensed Matter and Complex Systems》2001,24(3):383-386
Facetting of a vicinal surface is due to an arrangement of parallel primary steps which is commensurate with the substrate
in plane periodicity (for instance one step every pth atomic row). It was shown by [#!Grempel!#] that such a locking requires an interaction between steps together with a finite
step stiffness. But this early approach only reveals part of the story, as it is limited to sharp solid-vacuum interfaces
in which thermal excitation of energetically expensive kinks controls all fluctuations. In this paper the problem is taken
afresh in a language which applies equally well to “soft” interfaces, with important changes in the conclusions.
Received 26 June 2001 相似文献
5.
We study the pinning-depinning phenomenon of a contact line on a solid surface decorated by a random array of nanometric structures.
For this purpose, we have investigated the contact angle hysteresis behaviour of six different wetting and non-wetting fluids
with surface tensions varying from 25 to 72mN m^-1. For low values of the areal density of defects φd, the hysteresis H increases linearly with φd indicating that “individual” defects pin the contact line. Then, from a given value of φd, the hysteresis H becomes to decrease with increasing φd, indicating a new kind of collective depinning. These two regimes were observed for all fluids used. In both cases, our experimental
results are compared with the theoretical predictions for contact angle hysteresis induced by single or multiple topographical
defects. We ascribe the decrease of H to the formation of cavities along the wetting front. 相似文献
6.
The anchoring of nematic liquid crystals on surfaces with grafted liquid-crystalline chain molecules is studied by computer
simulations and within a mean-field approach. The computer simulations show that a swollen layer of collectively tilted chains
may induce untilted homeotropic (perpendicular) alignment in the nematic fluid. The results can be understood within a simple
theoretical model. The anchoring on a layer of mutually attractive chains is determined by the structure of the interface
between the layer of chain molecules and the solvent. It is controlled by an interplay between the attractive chain interactions,
the translational entropy of the solvent and its elasticity. A second-order anchoring transition driven by the grafting density
from tilted-to-homeotropic alignment is predicted.
Received 5 July 2001 and Received in final form 16 November 2001 相似文献
7.
Conradi M Ziherl P Sarlah A Musevic I 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2006,20(2):231-236
We study the structure of a free-standing smectic-A film around a micron-size polystyrene colloid adsorbed onto the film.
We find that a colloid or a cluster of colloids is surrounded by an optically distinct and radially decorated meniscus ending
with a sharp edge. The observed strong and finite-range attraction between the adsorbed colloids is driven by the fusion of
menisci. We interpret the structure of the smectic meniscus in terms of a model dominated by the surface free energy and we
argue that the characteristic appearance of the meniscus is due to layer undulations. 相似文献
8.
Inclusions in free-standing smectic films are simple model systems for two-dimensional anisotropic dispersions. From theory
and experiment, different topologies of elastic distortions of the embedding liquid crystal are known. Quadrupolar and different
dipolar defect configurations in the vicinity of the inclusion are possible, and these configurations determine the type of
interactions between the inclusions. The quadrupolar configuration is often energetically preferred. We show, however, that
dipolar director configurations around inclusions can be energetically favourable over quadrupolar arrangements in chiral
smectics, as a consequence of a spontaneous-bend term in the elastic-energy formulation. As the inclusion size influences
the selection of the deformation types, the corresponding spontaneous-bend constant can be estimated for the strong anchoring
limit if the c -director fields around inclusions of different diameters are taken into account. 相似文献
9.
The substrate is shown to induce substantial ordering in diblock copolymer thin films above the bulk order-disorder transition
(ODT) where, thermodynamically, a phase mixed state is favored. Initially, uniform films reorganize to form a hierarchy of
transient surface patterns and stable film thicknesses that depend on the initial film thickness and on the substrate. Self-consistent
field calculations of the free energy of the system for different situations, depending on the relative tendency for the different
block components to be attracted to the substrate and/or free surface, provide an explanation of the formation of the stable
film thicknesses. A continuum picture proposed earlier by Brochard et al.rovides an explanation of the wetting characteristics of this system. In some cases the ordering destabilizes the film so
that dewetting occurs (wetting autophobicity), whereas in other cases the surface ordering results in a kinetic stabilization
of a film that would otherwise dewet.
Received 3 August 2001 and Received in final form 1 November 2001 相似文献
10.
The formation of regular colloid patterns in free-standing smectic films at the transition from the smectic-C to the isotropic
or nematic phase is well known experimentally. The self-organization of isotropic or nematic droplets is caused by their mutual
interaction, mediated by elastic distortions of the local director in the surrounding liquid crystal. These distortions are
related to the anchoring conditions of the director at the droplet border. We describe analytically the energetics of the
liquid crystal environment of a single droplet in one-constant approximation. A method of complex analysis, Conformal Mapping,
is employed. Following a suggestion of Dolganov et al. (Phys. Rev. E. 73, 041706 (2006)), energetics of chain and grid patterns built from the colloids are investigated numerically in order to explain
experimentally observed formations and their director fields. 相似文献
11.
Petit M Daoudi A Ismaili M Buisine JM 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2006,20(3):327-333
We report the effect of an anisotropic polymer network formed from an achiral photoreactive monomer in a short-pitch chiral
SmC* phase on the distortion and the unwinding of the helical structure of the ferroelectric phase. The electro-optical behaviour
and ferroelectric properties were experimentally determined for films containing various polymer concentrations. The critical
field, Eu, for the transition from the distorted structure to the homogeneous state was measured as a function of polymer concentration.
A linear increase of Eu
versus polymer concentration was observed, showing that the helical structure of the short-pitch SmC* phase was stabilized by the
polymer network. This behaviour was expected to be a consequence of the increase of the apparent elastic constants of the
ferroelectric liquid crystal stabilized by the anisotropic polymer network films. The polymer network morphology was investigated
using atomic-force microscopy, revealing a twisted structure of the polymer fibers. This twisted structure was transferred
onto a polymer network during the polymerization process within a short-pitch SmC* phase. The increase of the apparent elasticity
can then be interpreted by a strong interaction between polymer network and the liquid-crystal molecules. From our experimental
data, the coupling coefficient, Wp, characterizing this interaction was evaluated for all studied polymer concentrations. 相似文献
12.
The effect of an external electric field on the local layer structure is investigated in the SmC*
A, SmC*
FI and SmC* phases using X-ray diffraction. X-ray scattering and spontaneous polarization measurements are performed under several increasing
(and decreasing) steps of AC applied voltage. The effects of the electric field differ significantly from one phase to the
other. The chevron-to-bookshelf transition occurs abruptly at a high field value in the SmC*
A phase whereas layer deformations are more progressive and occur at lower field values in the other phases. Comparison of
the different behaviours suggests that the destruction of the chevron structure is mainly affected by the local molecular
order.
Received 16 July 2001 and Received in final form 7 December 2001 相似文献
13.
V.S.U. Fazio L. Komitov C. Radüge S.T. Lagerwall H. Motschmann 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2001,5(3):309-315
The influence of capillary flow on the alignment of the nematic liquid crystal 5CB on fatty acid Langmuir-Blodgett monolayers
was studied by optical second-harmonic generation (SHG). The surface dipole sensitivity of the technique allows probing the
orientation of the first liquid crystal monolayer in the presence of the liquid crystal bulk. It was found that capillary
flow causes the first monolayer of liquid crystal molecules in contact with the fatty acid monolayer to be oriented in the
flow direction with a large pretilt (78 degrees), resulting in a quasi-planar alignment with splay-bend deformation of the
nematic director in the bulk. The large pretilt angle also suggests that the Langmuir-Blodgett film itself is affected by
the flow. The quasi-planar flow-induced alignment was found to be metastable. Once the flow ceases, circular domains of homeotropic
orientation nucleate in the sample and expand until the whole sample becomes homeotropic. This relaxation process from flow-induced
quasi-planar to surface-induced homeotropic alignment was also monitored by SHG. It was found that in the homeotropic state
the first nematic layer presents a pretilt of 38 degrees almost isotropically distributed in the plane of the cell, with a
slight preference for the direction of the previous flow.
Received 8 November 2000 and Received in final form 12 March 2001 相似文献
14.
15.
Drevensek Olenik I Kocevar K Musevic I Rasing T 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2003,11(2):169-175
Brewster-angle reflection ellipsometry and surface optical
second harmonic generation were used to study the growth of
4'-n-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl
(8CB) films evaporated in air onto polymeric and quartz glass
substrates. The layer-by-layer growth of the films terminates
after formation of two distinctive interfacial layers. Both of
these two layers are polar and tilted. In the first layer the
molecules lie nearly flat on the surface, while in the second
layer they point on average about 50° toward the surface normal.
The dipole moment of the second layer has a lower magnitude and
an opposite direction with respect to the dipole moment of the
first layer. 相似文献
16.
Pereira HA Batalioto F Evangelistaa LR 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2005,16(3):267-272
The destabilizing effect of a surface electric field, produced by selective ionic adsorption, on the molecular orientation of a nematic-liquid-crystal sample is analyzed for a cell in the shape of a slab of thickness d. The electric-field distribution considered in the analysis is the one obtained in the limit in which essentially all the positive ions are adsorbed. Because of the coupling of this surface field with the nematic director, the surface anchoring energy depends on the thickness of the sample as well as on the adsorption energy characterizing the surfaces. A relation connecting the threshold field for the destabilization of the homeotropic pattern to the adsorption energy and to the thickness of the sample is established in closed form, after solving a set of two coupled non-linear equations determining the electric-field distribution across the sample. It is shown that the values of surface electric field generated by adsorbed ions that can lead to a destabilization of the homeotropic alignment can be attained by real samples. 相似文献
17.
Linear stability analysis of capillary instabilities in a thin nematic liquid crystalline cylindrical fiber embedded in an
immiscible viscous matrix is performed by formulating and solving the governing nemato-capillary equations, that include the
effect of temperature on the nematic ordering as well as the effect of the nematic orientation. A representative axial nematic
orientation texture with the planar easy axis at the fiber surface is studied. The surface disturbance is expressed in normal
modes, which include the azimuthal wave number m to take into account non-axisymmetric modes. Capillary instabilities in nematic fibers reflect the anisotropic nature of
liquid crystals, such as the ordering and orientation contributions to the surface elasticity and surface normal and bending
stresses. Surface gradients of normal and bending stresses provide additional anisotropic contributions to the capillary pressure
that may renormalize the classical displacement and curvature forces that exist in any fluid fiber. The exact nature (stabilizing
and destabilizing) and magnitude of the renormalization of the displacement and curvature forces depend on the nematic ordering
and orientation, i.e. the anisotropic contribution to the surface energy, and accordingly capillary instabilities may be axisymmetric or non-axisymmetric.
In addition, when the interface curvature effects are accounted for as contributions of the work of interfacial bending and
torsion to the total energy of the system, the higher-order bending moment contribution to the surface stress tensor is critical
in stabilizing the fiber instabilities. For the planar easy axis, the nematic ordering contribution to the surface energy,
which renormalizes the effect of the fiber shape, plays a crucial role to determine the instability mechanisms. Moreover,
the unstable modes, which are most likely observed, can be driven by the dependence of surface energy on the surface area.
Low-ordering fibers display the classical axisymmetric mode, since the surface energy decreases by decreasing the surface
area. Decreasing temperature gives rise to the encounter with a local maximum or to monotonic increase of the characteristic
length of the axisymmetric mode. Meanwhile, in the presence of high surface ordering, non-axisymmetric finite wavelength instabilities
emerge, with higher modes growing faster since the surface energy decreases by increasing the surface area. As temperature
decreases, the pitches of the chiral microstructures become smaller. However, this non-axisymmetric instability mechanism
can be regulated by taking account of the surface bending moment, which contains higher order variations in the interface
curvatures. More and more non-axisymmetric modes emerge as temperature decreases, but, at constant temperature, only a finite
number of non-axisymmetric modes are unstable and a single fastest growing mode emerges with lower and higher unstable modes
growing slower. For nematic fibers, the classical fiber-to-droplet transformation is one of several possible instability pathways,
while others include chiral microstructures. The capillary instabilities' growth rate of a thin nematic fiber in a viscous
matrix is suppressed by increasing either the fiber or matrix viscosity, but the estimated droplet sizes after fiber breakup
in axisymmetric instabilities decrease with increasing the matrix viscosity.
Received 15 April 2002 and Received in final form 3 October 2002
RID="a"
ID="a"e-mail: alejandro.rey@mcgill.ca 相似文献
18.
Schuddeboom PC Meister R Cecchetto E Jérôme B 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2003,11(1):37-52
We examine the effect of a strong DC electric field on the molecular orientational order and the nonlinear optical response
of liquid crystals in thin films. We compare the results of second-harmonic generation measurements with the predictions of
two models, one assuming that the dipoles carried by the molecules have no interactions (the isotropic model), and the other
assuming that the dipoles evolve in a Maier-Saupe orienting field responsible for the liquid-crystalline order (the Maier-Saupe
model). In both cases, we take into account the effect of surfaces and confinement on the behavior of the molecules. We find
that the molecular dipoles behave as predicted by the isotropic model, but that their reorientation is correlated in such
a way that the apparent dipole moment of the reorienting units is one order of magnitude larger than the molecular dipole
moment.
Received: 13 December 2002 / Accepted: 22 April 2003 / Published online: 21 May 2003
RID="a"
ID="a"Also at FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
RID="a"
ID="a"Also at FOM-Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
RID="b"
ID="b"e-mail: jerome@science.uva.nl 相似文献
19.
Universal non-monotonic smectic fluctuations of liquid crystal films in a magnetic field 总被引:1,自引:0,他引:1
I.N. de Oliveira M.L. Lyra 《The European Physical Journal B - Condensed Matter and Complex Systems》2003,32(2):189-194
Free-standing liquid crystal films with positive diamagnetic susceptibility can have the smectic ordering enhanced by an external
field applied perpendicular to the plane layers. Within a quadratic functional integral approach, we investigate the interplay
between the smectic order induced by an external field H and that due to the surface tension γ between the film and the surrounding gas. We find that the average smectic fluctuation
is a non-monotonic function of film thickness, with a characteristic thickness scale ξ
H delimiting the predominance of surface tension and magnetic field effects. This characteristic thickness obeys simple asymptotic
power-law relations as a function of the ordering terms which allows us to represent the average smectic fluctuations in a
universal scaling form.
Received 7 January 2003 Published online 1st April 2003
RID="a"
ID="a"e-mail: marcelo@ising.fis.ufal.br 相似文献
20.
O.V. Borisov F. Hakem T.A. Vilgis J.-F. Joanny A. Johner 《The European physical journal. E, Soft matter》2001,6(1):37-47
We present a scaling theory for the adsorption of a weakly charged polyelectrolyte chain in a poor solvent onto an oppositely
charged surface. Depending on the fraction of charged monomers and on the solvent quality for uncharged monomers, the globule
in the bulk of the solution has either a spherical conformation or a necklace structure. At sufficiently high surface charge
density, a chain in the globular conformation adsorbs in a flat pancake conformation due to the Coulombic attraction to the
oppositely charged surface. Different adsorption regimes are predicted depending on two screening lengths (the Debye screening
length monitored by the salt concentration and the Gouy-Chapman length monitored by the surface charge density), on the degree
of ionization of the polymer and on the solvent strength. At low bulk ionic strength, an increase in the surface charge density
may induce a transition from an adsorbed necklace structure to a uniform pancake due to the enhanced screening of the intra-chain
Coulombic repulsion by the counterions localized near the surface.
Received 12 April 2001 相似文献