Kinetics of the origin of orientational-state nuclei in nematics with metastable surface states

Summary The dynamics of metastable orientational states formed by weak boundary conditions is investigated. The relative stability of these states, the relaxation of nonstable state, the possible control of the kinetics of the process and the critical conditions for such orientational transformation are discussed. Work presented at the second USSR-Italy Bilateral Meeting on Liquid Crystals held in Moscow, September 15–21, 1988.