Thermodynamics of MacMillan's liquid crystal model

TL;DR

This paper examines the thermodynamic principles of MacMillan's liquid crystal model by framing it as an objective internal variable model, with applications demonstrated using de Gennes free energy.

Contribution

It introduces a thermodynamic formulation of liquid crystal models as objective internal variable models, providing a new perspective on their analysis.

Findings

Consistent thermodynamic formulation of liquid crystal models.

Application to de Gennes free energy example.

Insights into the second law constraints on liquid crystal behavior.

Abstract

We study liquid crystal models with bulk free energy from the point of view of the second law of thermodynamics. We formulate these models as objective internal variable models. Examples of application are given for the de Gennes free energy.