Abstract:
A model is proposed for the reorientation dynamics of a confined nematic liquid crystal elastomer, where the effect of crosslinks is to couple the director to deformations of the elastic matrix. The model combines the (equilibrium) `neo-classical' theory of liquid crystal rubber elasticity with the simplest time evolution equations for a system described by two coupled, non-conserved order parameters. Relaxation from an orientation imposed by an electric field is studied as a function of elastic softness, starting angle, surface pretilt, and the relative mobilities of director and strain. Most importantly, the absence of a `semi-soft' elastic threshold changes the long-time behaviour of the effective refractive index of the medium from exponential to inverse power law decay. Predictions are compatible with recent experimental results by Chang, Chien and Meyer [Phys. Rev. E 56, 595 (1997)].
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Received 22 June 1998
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Teixeira, P. Dynamics of reorientation of a constrained nematic elastomer. Eur. Phys. J. B 9, 471–477 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050788
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050788