Calculation of the Elastic Constants of Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract

The ratio of the elastic constants of nematic liquid crystals is calculated using a simple inner field model. The result obtained is k 11 ′: k 22 : k 33 ′: k 24 : k 13 (2) =5:11:5:‐9:‐6. The first three constants, which are the constants for splay, twist, and bend, respectively, are found to be positive, in contrast with the result of an earlier calculation which was based on the same model but neglected second order splay‐bend contributions to the deformation energy.