A Microscopic Estimation of the Splay Elastic Constant K11 for Nematic Liquid Crystals

TL;DR

This paper develops a microscopic theory linking the splay elastic constant K11 in nematic liquid crystals to molecular properties, providing an estimation of K11 based on electrostatic interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a new microscopic approach to estimate K11 by calculating electrostatic energy density between molecules, improving understanding of elastic properties.

Findings

Estimated K11 with correct order of magnitude

Established a relationship between molecular moments and elastic constants

Provided a theoretical framework for microscopic estimation

Abstract

A theory of the relationship between splay elastic constant K11 and permanent molecular moment of liquid crystals is developed. The theory gives a microscopic estimation of K11 with a correct order of magnitude by calculating the electrostatic energy density between the adjacent molecules.