Transitions to Nematic states in homogeneous suspensions of high aspect ratio magnetic rods

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transitions to nematic states in suspensions of high aspect ratio magnetic rods, analyzing stability and bifurcations using classical and numerical methods.

Contribution

It provides a unified analysis of isotropic-nematic and nematic-nematic transitions for magnetic rod suspensions using both classical and numerical techniques.

Findings

Identification of bifurcation points for nematic states

Comparison of Maier-Saupe and Onsager models

Insights into external field effects on phase transitions

Abstract

Isotropic-Nematic and Nematic-Nematic transitions from a homogeneous base state of a suspension of high aspect ratio, rod-like magnetic particles are studied for both Maier-Saupe and the Onsager excluded volume potentials. A combination of classical linear stability and asymptotic analyses provides insight into possible nematic states emanating from both the isotropic and nematic non-polarized equilibrium states. Local analytical results close to critical points in conjunction with global numerical results (Bhandar, 2002) yields a unified picture of the bifurcation diagram and provides a convenient base state to study effects of external orienting fields.