Abstract
We study a two-dimensional model describing spatial variations of orientational ordering in nematic liquid crystals. In particular, we show that the spatially extended Onsager- Maier-Saupe free energy may be decomposed into Landau-de Gennes-type and relative entropy-type contributions. We then prove that in the high concentration limit the states of the system display characteristic vortex-like patterns and derive asymptotic expansion for the free energy of the system.
| Translated title of the contribution | Vortices in two-dimensional nematics |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Pages (from-to) | 917 - 938 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Communications in Mathematical Sciences |
| Volume | 7, issue 4 |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2009 |