Anchoring Energy of Liquid Crystals

Abstract

The liquid crystals anchoring theory is considered on the molecular level. Earlier calculations of mesogenic molecules interaction energy with graphite and PE surface give results being one-two orders higher than experimentally obtained values. To explain the experimental values of anchoring energy we proposed its dependence on the interaction between liquid crystal layers. In our calculations we have simulated the mesogen molecules by virtual rod-like molecules. The molecules orientation was given by polar and azimuthal angles towards the directors of neighboring liquid crystal layers. Obtained values of polar and azimuthal anchoring energy as well as their dependences on the order parameter are in good agreement with experimental data.

Keywords:

• Atom-atom potentials
• interaction energy
• liquid crystals
• mesogens
• polar and azimuthal anchoring energy

Acknowledgment

The project is supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation contracts ##02.740.11.5218, 14.740.11.0977, REBR grants #10-07-00385-a, 10-03-90028-Bel_a and by Hong-Kong grants CERG 612409, CERG 612310.