Published February 1, 2019 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Mean-field theory of isotropic-uniaxial nematic-biaxial nematic phase transitions in an external field

Creators

  • 1. Department of Physics, Government College of Engineering and Textile Technology, 12 William Carey Road, Serampore, Hooghly-712201 (India)
  • 2. Department of Mathematics, Government College of Engineering and Textile Technology, 12 William Carey Road, Serampore, Hooghly-712201 (India)
  • 3. Department of Computer Science, Panihati Mahavidyalaya, Barasat Road, PO-Sodepur, Kolkata-700110 (India)

Description

We present a simple mean-field theory to study the effects of an external magnetic field on biaxial nematic liquid crystals. Isotropic-uniaxial nematic-biaxial nematic phase sequence in an external magnetic field is described. We determine the temperature-field phase diagrams. The model predicts two new phase diagrams. It is shown that in the presence of the magnetic field, the first order uniaxial nematic to biaxial nematic and isotropic to uniaxial nematic phase transitions become second order transition at a tricritical point. (paper)

Availability note (English)

Available from http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/aaf514

Additional details

Identifiers

DOI
10.1088/1402-4896/aaf514;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Physica Scripta (Online)
Journal Volume
94
Journal Issue
2
Journal Page Range
[4 p.]
ISSN
1402-4896

INIS

Country of Publication
United Kingdom
Country of Input or Organization
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
INIS RN
52049740
Subject category
S71: CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS;
Descriptors DEI
LIQUID CRYSTALS; MAGNETIC FIELDS; MEAN-FIELD THEORY; PHASE DIAGRAMS; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
Descriptors DEC
CRYSTALS; DIAGRAMS; FLUIDS; INFORMATION; LIQUIDS