Propagating Structures in a Nematic Liquid Crystal Subjected to Crossed Electric and Magnetic Fields

Abstract

The effect of a stabilizing magnetic field applied perpendicular to the electric field on the nematic liquid crystal MBBA undergoing electrohydrodynamic convection is studied on 60 micron thick samples. The resulting convective instability is found to propagate with a voltage dependent velocity that is well described by a power law with an exponent of ½. The pattern velocity at the onset of the instablity also decreases with increasing magnetic field. The wavelength of the instability similarly decreases with increasing electric and magnetic field strength.

Key Words:

• Travelling waves
• bifurcation