Liquid crystal anchoring transitions induced by thermal motion

Abstract

The thermal motion of a substrate is shown to have strong effects on the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in contact with it. Using an invertedpendulum model, we find that the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules can have a sequence of transitions between planar and homeotropic orientations. Analytical expressions for stability conditions for the homeotropic orientations are found for both monochromatic and some multiple-mode thermal motions, and, in both homeotropic and planar anchoring cases. Numerical simulations confirm the analytical model calculations and show that strong interactions between molecules favour processes of dynamic stabilization and destabilization of the homeotropic orientation.