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arXiv · 0902.3270

Theory of Ferroelectric Nanoparticles in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Lena M. Lopatina·Jonathan V. Selinger
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Abstract

Recent experiments have reported that ferroelectric nanoparticles have drastic effects on nematic liquid crystals--increasing the isotropic-nematic transition temperature by about 5 K, and greatly increasing the sensitivity to applied electric fields. To understand these effects, we develop a theory for the statistical mechanics of ferroelectric nanoparticles in liquid crystals. This theory predicts the enhancements of liquid-crystal properties, in good agreement with experiments. These predictions apply even when electrostatic interactions are partially screened by moderate concentrations of ions.

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Lena M. Lopatina, Jonathan V. Selinger. 2009-02-18. Theory of Ferroelectric Nanoparticles in Nematic Liquid Crystals. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.102.197802

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