Isothermal Hydrodynamics of Biaxial Nematics

Abstract

Differential equations governing elastic and flow behavior of compressible biaxial nematics are derived using the Ericksen-Leslie approach (ELA). Expressions of the free energy density F, viscous stress [sgrave] ¹ _ji and flexoelectric polarisation P_i ^(f) are derived for monoclinic and triclinic nematics using the principal axes approach utilised by Saupe. The expression of [sgrave] ¹ _ji derived using ELA can be reduced to that derived from Saupe's approach by adopting a procedure which was developed in an earlier communication. For biaxial nematics, the number of elastic constants seems to be the same as the number of viscosity coefficients, in general.