Flow-driven transition and associated velocity profiles in a nematic liquid-crystal cell
Jewell, Sharon A.; Cornford, Stephen Leslie; Yang, Fuzi; et al.Cann, P. S.; Sambles, J. Roy
Date: 26 October 2009
Journal
Physical Review E
Publisher
American Physical Society
Publisher DOI
Abstract
The alignment properties and distribution of flow speed during Poiseuille flow through a microchannel of a nematic liquid crystal in a cell with homeotropic surface alignment has been measured using a combination of conoscopy, fluorescence confocal polarizing microscopy, and time-lapse imaging. Two topologically distinct director ...
The alignment properties and distribution of flow speed during Poiseuille flow through a microchannel of a nematic liquid crystal in a cell with homeotropic surface alignment has been measured using a combination of conoscopy, fluorescence confocal polarizing microscopy, and time-lapse imaging. Two topologically distinct director profiles, with associated fluid velocity fields, are found to exist with the preferred state dictated by the volumetric flow rate of the liquid crystal. The results show excellent agreement with model data produced using the Ericksen-Leslie nematodynamics theory.
Physics and Astronomy
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
Item views 0
Full item downloads 0