Self-consistent field theory of semiflexible nematics: Density-nematic coupling, anisotropic elasticity, and defect core sizes

Abstract

The linear response of wormlike chains in the nematic phase is studied by self-consistent field theory. The model Hamiltonian incorporates Maier--Saupe orientational interactions together with an isotropic excluded volume interaction. The latter models implicitly solvent mediated chain interactions, as appropriate for a lyotropic nematic. An effective free energy description for uniform nematic states is constructed in terms of the chain segment density and uniaxial nematic order parameter, providing a unified framework for density--degree of order coupling, isotropic-nematic coexistence, and the limit of stability of the nematic phase. Our results show that strong density--nematic degree of order coupling can destabilize the nematic state. The location of the instability depends on the ratio of excluded volume and nematic interaction, $u_0/u_2$. In contrast, director distortions couple to density and nematic order variations only at higher order, remaining effectively decoupled in the linear response regime. The Frank elastic constants and the correlation lengths are obtained from a linear response analysis based on the self-consistent field theory free energy. Increasing flexibility strongly suppresses twist and bend elasticity while affecting splay elasticity comparatively weakly, leading to a crossover from bend-dominated to splay-dominated elasticity. The correlation lengths and Frank elastic anisotropy obtained from the linear response analysis explain well director profiles around a +1/2 disclination core, including the core size. The latter is proportional to the equilibrium correlation length, in agreement with Landau--de Gennes scaling.