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Defect-induced melting in nematic liquid crystals |
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| Authors: | N. J. Mottram T. J. Sluckin |
| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Mathematical Studies, University of Strathclyde, 26 Richmond Street, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK;2. Faculty of Mathematical Studies, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK |
| Abstract: | In this paper we employ a relatively simple theory to show how a nematic disclination line can act as a nucleation site for the growth of the isotropic phase. With this theory we are able to find analytical expressions for the critical temperature of nucleation and the behaviour of the core radius as a function of temperature. We are then able to compare these results with a previous numerical model of this effect. |
| Keywords: | anthraquinone discotic liquid crystal monomer dimer discotic lamellar |