Giant field-induced deformation of nematic and isotropic liquid crystal drops

Cheol Soo Park; Noel A. Clark; Richard D. Noble

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.1838

Giant field-induced deformation of nematic and isotropic liquid crystal drops

Cheol Soo Park, Noel A. Clark, and Richard D. Noble

Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 1838 – Published 21 March 1994

Abstract

Nematic circular drops of the liquid crystals 5CB and MBBA suspended in their isotropic phases exhibit an electric-field-induced deformation into an elliptical shape extended normal to the applied field which is many times larger than that found in nonliquid crystal systems, a result of the low nematic-isotropic interfacial tension. Isotropic drops suspended in a nematic phase also exhibit large deformation, but of opposite sign. In both cases the deformation is proportional to the applied field squared and decreases in amplitude with increasing frequency, a result of the conductivity relaxation of the liquid crystal.

Received 14 January 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.1838

Authors & Affiliations

Cheol Soo Park, Noel A. Clark, and Richard D. Noble

Department of Physics, Condensed Matter Laboratory, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309