Isotropic-Nematic Transition in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers

Details Isotropic-Nematic Transition in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers Isotropic-Nematic Transition in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers

2001-11-09

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0111173v4

Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 225701 (2002)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

4 pages, including 4 postscript figures, uses REVTeX 4

Scientific paper

10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.225701

In liquid-crystalline elastomers, the nematic order parameter and the induced strain vary smoothly across the isotropic-nematic transition, without the expected first-order discontinuity. To investigate this smooth variation, we measure the strain as a function of temperature over a range of applied stress, for elastomers crosslinked in the nematic and isotropic phases, and analyze the results using a variation on Landau theory. This analysis shows that the smooth variation arises from quenched disorder in the elastomer, combined with the effects of applied stress and internal stress.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Isotropic-Nematic Transition in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Isotropic-Nematic Transition in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Isotropic-Nematic Transition in Liquid-Crystalline Elastomers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-539208