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Abstract
This paper investigates the stability of simple static orientation patterns in a sample of smectic liquid crystal confined to a cylindrical annulus, when a magnetic field is applied. Four different arrangements are considered, covering cases where the layer normal is everywhere either radial or axial, and the (orthogonal) magnetic field is either radial, azimuthal or axial. A classification is given of the threshold radii for mechanical instabilities, and of the threshold magnetic fields for Freedericksz transitions for these cases, with strong anchoring at the boundaries.