The effect of shear flow on the isotropic-nematic transition in liquid crystals

In this thesis I will discuss the effects of shear flow on the Isotropic-Nematic phase transition in liquid crystals. Shear flow has dramatic orienting effects on the rod-like constituents of nematic liquid crystals, with the general effects of (1) inducing order in the high-temperature isotropic phase, and (2) dictating a direction of alignment for the low-temperature nematic phase. Shear flow also imposes a biaxial symmetry on both the high and low temperature phases, thereby changing the nature of the symmetry-breaking at the transition.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics, Condensed Matter

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Olmsted, Peter David

Contributors dc:contributor

• Goldbart, Paul M.

• Physics, Condensed Matter
• Physics, Fluid and Plasma

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1991 Olmsted, Peter David

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9210941
(UMI)AAI9210941

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/23675