Computer Simulations and Experimental Dynamical Characterization of a Composite Liquid Crystal-Polymer System

Abstract

We present a Monte Carlo study of a liquid crystal-polymer interface, focusing on a single cell with boundary conditions tailored to mimic the main features of the system and we examine the effect of an external applied field. A simple lattice spin model, based on the Lebwohl-Lasher hamiltonian, has been employed to represent the nematic and the polymer molecules. The orientations of the spins representing the low molar mass nematic molecules are updated during the simulations while the polymer chain units are kept frozen. The model allows us to investigate the molecular organization and the ordering expected across the cell. Moreover the response to the change in external field intensity and duration pulse is also studied.

Keywords:

• Computer simulation
• confined systems
• Monte Carlo
• polycrips

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge support by INFN grant I.S. BO62 (CC and PP); and University of Bologna (CZ).