Influence of Homeotropic Anchoring Walls upon Nematic and Smectic Phases

TL;DR

This study investigates how strong homeotropic anchoring walls affect phase transitions in McMillan liquid crystal models, revealing increased transition temperatures, disappearance of some transitions, and emergence of non-spontaneous nematic phases, akin to external field effects.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the influence of anchoring walls on phase behavior in liquid crystals, highlighting effects similar to external fields.

Findings

Anchoring walls increase transition temperatures.

Some phase transitions disappear due to anchoring.

Non-spontaneous nematic phases emerge under strong anchoring.

Abstract

McMillan liquid crystal model sandwiched between strong homeotropic anchoring walls is studied. Phase transitions between isotropic, nematic, and smectic A phases are investigated for wide ranges of an interaction parameter and of the system thickness. It is confirmed that the anchoring walls induce an increase in transition temperatures, dissappearance of phase transitions, and an appearance of non-spontaneous nematic phase. The similarity between influence of anchoring walls and that of external fields is discussed.