Possible Phase Diagrams for Mixtures of ‘Positive’ and ‘Negative’ Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract

Common nematogenic materials consist of rod-like molecules whose longest axes tend to be parallel in the nematic phase. In addition to such ‘positive’ nematics, it is reasonable to expect that there might be ‘negative’ nematics with planar molecules aligned with their shortest axes parallel.^1,2 We have studied a theoretical model which indicates that, if indeed such ‘negative’ nematics exist, then mixing them with suitable ‘positive’ nematics would produce some remarkable effects.^3,4 We here describe our most significant findings. The details of our calculation may be found in Refs. 3 and 4.

Work supported under ONR Contract No. NOOO14-67-A-0097-0013.