Dielectric alignment in an electrically conducting nematic liquid crystal

Abstract

For small deformations the local macroscopic electric field strength in a deformed uniaxial crystal is derived. For relative high frequencies (≫ σ/ε₀ε) the electric field strength is determined by the anisotropic dielectric properties and for relative low frequencies (≪ σ/ε₀ε) by the anisotropic electric conductivity. The local electric field strength is frequency independent if the dielectric and the electric conductivity tensor have the same anisotropy. The nonhydrodynamic deformation of a nematic liquid crystal under the influence of an electric field is derived from the torque balance equation in the small‐angle approximation. This dielectric alignment is frequency dependent corresponding to the frequency dependence of the local electric field strength.