Spin Dynamics for the Lebwohl-Lasher Model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a spin dynamics algorithm for the Lebwohl-Lasher liquid crystal model, combining checkerboard updates and local field rotations, achieving energy conservation and consistent results with Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel spin dynamics method that improves simulation accuracy and efficiency for the Lebwohl-Lasher model of liquid crystals.

Findings

The algorithm conserves energy effectively.

Simulation averages match Monte Carlo results.

Careful handling of director rotation is necessary.

Abstract

A spin dynamics algorithm, combining checkerboard updating and a rotation algorithm based on the local second-rank ordering field, is developed for the Lebwohl-Lasher model of liquid crystals. The method is shown to conserve energy well and to generate simulation averages which are consistent with those obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. However, care must be taken to avoid the undesirable effects of director rotation, and a method for doing this is proposed.