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arXiv · 1006.3589

Surface alignment and anchoring transitions in nematic lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal

V. G. Nazarenko·O. P. Boiko·H. -S. Park·O. M. Brodyn·M. M. Omelchenko·L. Tortora·Yu. A. Nastishin·O. D. Lavrentovich
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Abstract

The surface alignment of lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) can be not only planar (tangential) but also homeotropic, with self-assembled aggregates perpendicular to the substrate, as demonstrated by mapping optical retardation and by three-dimensional imaging of the director field. With time, the homeotropic nematic undergoes a transition into a tangential state. The anchoring transition is discontinuous and can be described by a double-well anchoring potential with two minima corresponding to tangential and homeotropic orientation.

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V. G. Nazarenko, O. P. Boiko, H. -S. Park, O. M. Brodyn, M. M. Omelchenko, L. Tortora, Yu. A. Nastishin, O. D. Lavrentovich. 2010-06-18. Surface alignment and anchoring transitions in nematic lyotropic chromonic liquid crystal. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.105.017801

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