The Possibility of the Existence of a Positive Leslie Viscosity α₂. Proposed Flow Behavior of Disk Like Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract

The signs of the Leslie viscosities α₂ and α₃ for nematics consisting of disk like molecules are discussed. It is predicted on theoretical grounds that for disk like molecules α₃ is always positive while α₂ should be able to exhibit both positive and negative values. This is the first time that the possibility of a positive α₂ is discussed in the literature. Provided that the prediction is correct, the nature of the flow behavior of disk like molecules is discussed.