J. Physique Lett. 38, 215-219 (1977)
DOI: 10.1051/jphyslet:019770038011021500

Influence of second-order elasticity on local Frederiks transitions near a nematic liquid crystal-anisotropic crystal interface

H.P. Hinov

Institute of Solid State Physics, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1113, Bulgaria

Abstract
The influence of second-order elasticity (K13 ≠ 0) on local Frederiks transitions is considered theoretically in this paper. The threshold conditions are corrected considerably for the two basic transitions in the alignment of the nematic liquid crystal : homeotropic-conical and conical-planar. Spontaneous deformations appear for some values of K13 ≷ 0.

Résumé
On a étudié théoriquement l'influence de l'élasticité du second ordre ( K13 ≠ 0) sur la transition locale de Fredericks. Les conditions de seuil sont corrigées considérablement dans les deux transitions fondamentales de l'orientation du cristal liquide nématique homéotrope-conique et conique-planaire. A certaines valeurs de K13 ≷ 0, on observe des déformations spontanées.

PACS
6130 - Liquid crystals.

Key words
elasticity -- nematic liquid crystals -- local Frederiks transitions -- threshold conditions -- second order elasticity -- nematic liquid crystal anisotropic crystal interface -- spontaneous deformations -- conical alignment -- homeotropic alignment -- planar alignment