Universality of the Critical Dynamics and the Nature of the Nematic-Isotropic Phase Transition

Abstract

The pretransition behaviour of the static and dynamic properties near the nematicisotropic (N–I) phase transition are discussed in view of the last experimental investigations. In this case there are no simple power laws linked by universal relationships, as in the vicinity of a second-order phase transition.

The universal picture is restored if in place of T–T* (T* is the absolute stability limit of the isotropic phase) we use the susceptibility for statics and the time of relaxation for dynamics as the scaling factor. The reconstructed universal picture allows one to match quantitatively the anomalies of equilibrium and dynamic properties. The universal scaling functions appear to have the Gaussian asymptotic behaviour. The physical reasons of such behaviour are also discussed.

Keywords:

• nematic-isotropic transition