The Stabilizing Effect of an Electric Field on the Shear Flow of Nematic Liquid Crystals When α₃>0: Flow Alignment Regained

Abstract

Shear flow of a nematic liquid crystal with α₃>0 is studied. It is shown that applying an electric field across the sample, a stable boundary layer type of flow can be obtained provided the field exceeds a critical value which is calculated. Expressions for the flow alignment angle, the boundary layer and the relaxation time are given as functions of the electric field and the stability of the director with respect to fluctuations which will take it out of the shear plane is discussed. By comparing the results to the well known corresponding expressions for shear flow when α₃ < 0 and without an electric field applied, it can be seen that the two types of flow are very similar.