2A06 Interaction between particles in a hybrid nematic cell

Abstract

We investigate the interaction of particles in a hybrid nematic cell mediated by the elastic deformation of the director field. We obtain an analytic expression of the interaction energy when weak anchoring on the particle surfaces is assumed. The resultant form of the interaction energy is far more complex than that in a uniform nematic. This elastic-deformation-mediated interaction alone might yield a novel chain-like superstructure formed by particles.