Theories of mean molecular field for liquid crystalline state

Abstract

Theories of a mean molecular field developed for nematic liquid crystals are discussed. Their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted. The role of the order parameter in the description of a liquid crystalline phase is shown. The role of molecular dipole moments is underlined. Keywords: liquid crystals, order parameter, molecular theories, molecular dipole moment

Keywords

• liquid crystals
• order parameter
• molecular theories
• molecular dipole moment