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Nematic-Isotropic Spinodal Decomposition Kinetics of Rod-like Viruses

M. Paul Lettinga·Kyongok Kang·Peter Holmqvist·Arnout Imhof·Didi Derks·Jan K. G. Dhont
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Abstract

We investigate spinodal decomposition kinetics of an initially nematic dispersion of rod-like viruses (fd virus). Quench experiments are performed from a flow-stabilized homogeneous nematic state at high shear rate into the two-phase isotropic-nematic coexistence region at zero shear rate. We present experimental evidence that spinodal decomposition is driven by orientational diffusion, in accordance with a very recent theory.

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M. Paul Lettinga, Kyongok Kang, Peter Holmqvist, Arnout Imhof, Didi Derks, Jan K. G. Dhont. 2006-01-06. Nematic-Isotropic Spinodal Decomposition Kinetics of Rod-like Viruses. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreve.73.011412

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