Gradient flexoelectric effect and thickness dependence of anchoring energy

Abstract

We generalize a previous model that was proposed to interpret the thickness dependence of the anchoring energy relevant to the nematic-liquid-crystal–solid substrate interaction. We show that beside the dielectric coupling between the surface electric field and the nematic liquid crystal, the quadrupolar flexoelectric coupling plays an important role. Possible nonmonotonic trends of the anchoring energy strength versus the thickness of the sample are predicted to be due to this new coupling mechanism.