Theory of Nonlinear Elastic Behavior of Neumatic Liquid Crystals Near the Nematic-Smectic - A Phase Transition.

摘要

The smectic order-parameter contribution to the neumatic elastic energy near a second-order nematic-smectic-A phase transition are calculated and that the elastic behavior is nonlinear for large strains is shown. That the Fredericksz transition in a magnetic field becomes first order to a highly strained state within 0.1 C of the phase transition under typical experimental conditions is also shown.