Phase-field model for elastocapillary flows of liquid crystals.

摘要: We propose a phase-field model to study interfacial flows of nematic liquid crystals that couple the capillary forces on interface with elastic stresses in phase. The theoretical has two key ingredients: A tensor order parameter provides consistent description molecular and distortional elasticity, formalism accurately represents tension anchoring stress by approximating sharp-interface limit. Using this model, we carry out finite-element simulations drop retraction surrounding fluid, either component being nematic. results are summarized eight representative steady-state solutions planar axisymmetric geometries, each featuring distinct configuration for defects. dynamics is dominated competition between elasticity phase, mediated condition surface. As consequences competition, deformation clearance defects surface both depend linearly elastocapillary number.