Retrieving the saddle-splay elastic constant $K_{24}$ of nematic liquid crystals from an algebraic approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces an algebraic approach to determine the saddle-splay elastic constant $K_{24}$ in nematic liquid crystals by analyzing light interference patterns around disclinations, avoiding traditional computational fitting methods.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel algebraic method to extract $K_{24}$ from interference experiments, providing the first estimation for Sunset Yellow FCF liquid crystal.

Findings

First estimation of $K_{24}$ for Sunset Yellow FCF: 2.1 pN

Algebraic retrieval method avoids computational fitting

Interference pattern analysis relates $K_{24}$ to measurable angles

Abstract

The physics of light interference experiments is well established for nematic liquid crystals. Using well-known techniques, it is possible to obtain important quantities, such as the differential scattering cross section and the saddl-splay elastic constant $K_{24}$. However, the usual methods to retrieve the latter involves an adjusting of computational parameters through the visual comparisons between the experimental light interference pattern or a $^{2}H-NMR$ spectral pattern produced by an escaped-radial disclination, and their computational simulation counterparts. To avoid such comparisons, we develop an algebraic method for obtaining of saddle-splay elastic constant $K_{24}$. Considering an escaped-radial disclination inside a capillary tube with radius $R_{0}$ of tens of micrometers, we use a metric approach to study the propagation of the light (in the scalar wave approximation), near to the surface of the tube and to determine the light interference pattern due to the defect. The latter is responsible for the existence of a well-defined interference peak associated to a unique angle $\phi_{0}$. Since this angle depends on factors such as refractive indexes, curvature elastic constants, anchoring regime, surface anchoring strength and radius $R_{0}$, the measurement of $\phi_{0}$ from the interference experiments involving two different radii allows us to algebraically retrieve $K_{24}$. Our method allowed us to give the first reported estimation of $K_{24}$ for the lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal Sunset Yellow FCF: $K_{24}=2.1\ pN$.