Abstract
Phase transitions between isotropic, nematic, and smectic phases of McMillan model sandwiched by parallel solid walls are discussed. The solid walls are assumed to be homeotropic anchoring walls, i.e., at the interfaces, the walls force the liquid crystalline molecules to stick perpendicular to the walls.The liquid crystalline systems show a non-spontaneous nematic phase induced by the homeotropic anchoring walls; such a phenomena is similar to the appearance of non-spontaneous nematic phase under external fields.The phase transitions of the liquid crystals under the influence of the walls are shown to be qualitatively similar to the phase transitions under the external fields.
