Abstract
Waves propagating in elastic liquid crystals are investigated theoretically. The materials proposed by Coleman have two-phase properties, that is, fluid-like and solid-like. The liquid crystals are classified into two types, the axial one and the plane one. The axial liquid crystal has an intrinsic axis and it does not respond to the deformations which hold that axis to be invariant, and the plane liquid crystal has an intrinsic plane and it does not respond to the deformations which hold that plane to be invariant. The theory of singular surface is applied to the analysis. The waves which can propagate in the materials are divided into two types, one being the typical longitudinal waves which are similar to the wave in the fluid, and the other the particular transverse waves which reveal the solid-like property of the materials.
