Computer simulation of a nematic hybrid cell: The effects of elastic anisotropy

ABSTRACT

We revisit the classical problem of the molecular orientation inside a hybrid cell filled with liquid-crystals with various elastic constant anisotropies by means of Monte Carlo simulations using the Gruhn-Hess effective pair potential. We find some unstable defect lines and we discuss their arising in the system. We study the effects of the elastic anisotropy on the profiles of the director close to the surface with weak anchoring. Our findings indicate that the elastic theory and computer simulations are in good qualitative agreement while quantitatively some discrepancies are found mainly when the ratio K₁₁/K₃₃ is larger than one.

KEYWORDS:

• Nematic
• hybrid cells
• Monte Carlo
• elastic constants
• anisotroy

Funding

LRE, RTTS, and EKO thanks CNPq, Capes and Fundação Araucária for finantial support. LRE and RTTS also thank the INFN – Sezione Bologna for partially supporting the visits to Bologna.