Decoupling of the Ericksen-Leslie equations

Mottram, N.J. , Pinto, J.T. and McKay, G. (2013) Decoupling of the Ericksen-Leslie equations. Liquid Crystals, 40(6), pp. 787-798. (doi: 10.1080/02678292.2013.783134)

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Abstract

We examine the hydrodynamic behaviour of a nematic liquid crystal confined between two parallel electrodes and subject to a non-uniform electric field across the layer. By decoupling the Ericksen–Leslie equations for the nematic, we are able to derive a dynamic equation for the director orientation which is not explicitly dependent on the fluid velocity, rather a non-local term contains the effects of flow. The flow velocity and electric potential are determined subsequently from the calculated director profile. Our numerical scheme enables us to predict an effective rotational viscosity which takes account of fluid shear viscosities and allows us to establish the behaviour in special symmetry cases. Significantly, our calculations also demonstrate how kickback can be avoided, and the switch-off time optimised, by restricting the applied voltage to an appropriate range.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Mottram, Professor Nigel
Authors: Mottram, N.J., Pinto, J.T., and McKay, G.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Liquid Crystals
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
ISSN:0267-8292
ISSN (Online):1366-5855
Published Online:04 April 2013

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