Evolution of large-scale structure during phase ordering in liquid crystals

K. Diekmann; M. Schumacher; Horst Stegemeyer

doi:10.1117/12.301267

1 January 1998 Evolution of large-scale structure during phase ordering in liquid crystals

K. Diekmann, M. Schumacher, Horst Stegemeyer

Proceedings Volume 3319, Liquid Crystals: Chemistry and Structure; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301267
Event: Liquid Crystals, 1997, Zakopane, Poland

Abstract

The phase ordering kinetics of various liquid crystalline systems turning from a disordered to an ordered phase induced by a rapid temperature quench was investigated. The process of phase ordering as evolution of large scale structure can be described by the growth of a characteristic length L. The exponents n of the universal growth law L(t) approximately tⁿ have been determined. For the early stage of the phase ordering process we obtained values for n between 0.5 and 1 dependent on the depth of the temperatures quench. These results for mainly spherical shaped nematic and S_B-germs are discussed in terms of the Allen-Cahn- theory for the movement of an antiphase boundary. 0.5 as a lower limiting value confirms the classical theory while 1 as an upper limiting value can be explained by the introduction of a volume driving force. The late stage was investigated in different Blue Phase systems. We obtained values for n between 0.1 and 0.2 dependent on the various systems but not dependent on the quench depth. The exponents lie distinctly below theoretically predicted values. The role of broken symmetry is discussed critically.

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K. Diekmann, M. Schumacher, and Horst Stegemeyer "Evolution of large-scale structure during phase ordering in liquid crystals", Proc. SPIE 3319, Liquid Crystals: Chemistry and Structure, (1 January 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301267

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