Author

# Chia-Wei Woo

Other affiliations: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bio: Chia-Wei Woo is an academic researcher from University of California, San Diego. The author has contributed to research in topic(s): Order (ring theory) & Liquid crystal. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 3 publication(s) receiving 27 citation(s). Previous affiliations of Chia-Wei Woo include Chinese Academy of Sciences.

##### Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of an external field on the isotropic-nematic transition in liquid-crystalline substances were studied using the "orientationally averaged pair correlations" approximation.
Abstract: We study the effects of an external field on the isotropic-nematic transition in liquid-crystalline substances. The theoretical technique employed is called the "orientationally averaged pair correlations" approximation. It takes into detailed account spatial correlations between the molecules while treating orientational order in a mean-field-like manner. The results obtained for MBBA ($4\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{m}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{h}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{x}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{z}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{e}\ensuremath{-}4\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{-}n\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{b}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{e}$) are compared to those of the Maier-Saupe theory and the Landau-de Gennes theory. We determine the paranematic-nematic coexistence curve, the temperature-external field phase diagram, the Cotton-Mouton coefficient, the maximum supercooling temperature, critical exponents, and the relation between the transition temperature and the electric field in laser-induced isotropic-nematic transitions. These results are compared to experimental data. Their implications are discussed.

22 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors carried out a statistical mechanical calculation in the cell approximation and applied it specifically to the isotropic-nematic transition of methoxybenzylidene butylaniline.
Abstract: Starting with a model intermolecular potential that includes $\stackrel{^}{\ensuremath{\Omega}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{^}{r}$ terms to account for anisotropic steric interactions, we carry out a statistical mechanical calculation in the cell approximation, and apply it specifically to the isotropic-nematic transition of methoxybenzylidene butylaniline (MBBA). The potential is determined to fit the experimental transition temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{IN}}$ and the discontinuity in the orientational order parameter $〈{P}_{2}〉$ at transition. $〈{P}_{2}〉$ and $〈{P}_{4}〉$ are then calculated from solving a set of coupled self-consistency equations for the orientational and spatial parts of the distribution function, as are other phase-transition properties. There are improvements over model calculations which do not account for anisotropic steric effects, but the improvements are generally less than significant. The most striking result is that a stable nematic phase requires $〈{P}_{4}〉$ to be negative at and near the transition. It is a theoretical result qualitatively consistent with experimental data but has not been attained until now.

4 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 1984
TL;DR: In this article, the spatial correlations between molecules are accounted for in the "orientationally averaged pair correlations" approximation (OAPC) to affect the macroscopic properties of nematic liquid crystals and a cell model calculation in which both the molecular orientational distribution and the spatial distribution about lattice sites are determined self-consistently, by solving coupled Euler-Lagrange equations which minimize the free energy.
Abstract: Liquid crystals are liquids. At such densities, spatial correlations between molecules are expected to play an important role in the determination of their collective and phase transition properties. At short range, these correlations are quite anisotropic as a result of anisotropic intermolecular repulsions. We recall a molecular potential model that takes into account anisotropic forces. We show how spatial correlations are accounted for in the “orientationally averaged pair correlations” approximation (OAPC) to affect the macroscopic properties of nematic liquid crystals. We then perform a cell model calculation in which both the molecular orientational distribution and the spatial distribution about lattice sites are determined self-consistently, by solving coupled Euler-Lagrange equations which minimize the free energy. Numerical work is carried out for a simple potential without anisotropicters. We are able to determine the potential parameters which reproduce earlier OAPC results. Such an exercise illustrates how the cell approximation works and provides us with a theoretical framework for introducing anisotropic forces and pair correlations into later work. It is hoped that the latter would help remove some of the serious discrepancies between molecular theories and esperiment.

1 citations

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A review of the wide variety of predictions that results from a Landau-type of description of the nematic-isotropic phase transition is given in this paper, which includes a discussion of the nature of the order parameter and of the various types of possible phases.
Abstract: A review is given of the wide variety of predictions that results from a Landau-type of description of the nematic-isotropic phase transition. This includes a discussion of the nature of the order parameter and of the various types of possible phases, of the influence of external fields, and of the effect of inclusion of spatial variations of the order parameter. The various predictions are compared with the available experimental results. It is concluded that there is still no clear picture about the nature of the singularity near the nematic-isotropic phase transition. Though the assumption of classical (mean-field) critical behaviour seems to be incorrect, there is no conclusive proof which alternative applies.

274 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a density-functional description of liquid crystals is developed and exact expansions for thermodynamic functions in terms of a direct-correlation function are given, leading to different versions of the molecular-field theories of liquid crystal.
Abstract: A density-functional description of liquid crystals is developed. Formally exact expansions for thermodynamic functions in terms of a direct-correlation function are given. Approximations to the direct-correlation function lead to different versions of the molecular-field theories of liquid crystals. The properties of the uniform nematic phase including the isotropic-nematic phase transition at constant pressure are discussed. Expressions are given for the change in density and order parameters at the transition in terms of the direct-correlation function of the isotropic phase. Methods for calculating the direct-correlation functions of the isotropic phase are also discussed. A formal theory for the statistical mechanics of a nonuniform liquid crystal is developed and used to derive expressions for the Frank elastic constants. This approach provides a starting point for the investigation of the phase transitions in the liquid crystals and the properties of inhomogeneous systems. A microscopic description of the Landau-de Gennes theory is also given.

49 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the discharge modes of a thermionic low pressure discharge (p < 1Pa) were investigated with the one-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation codes PDP1 and XPDP1, and the simulation results provided a model approach for stable discharge modes, hysteresis, and for nonlinear relaxation-oscillations.
Abstract: The discharge modes of a thermionic low pressure discharge (p<1Pa) are investigated with the one‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulation codes PDP1 and XPDP1 [C. K. Birdsall, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 19, 65 (1991)]. The simulation results provide a model approach for stable discharge modes, hysteresis, and for nonlinear relaxation‐oscillations. During this potential‐relaxation instability, nonlinear structures, e.g. electron holes and double layers, are observed. A Pierce–Buneman‐mode is suggested as a trigger mechanism for the onset of the instability. The detailed oscillation process can be subdivided into three distinct phases: expansion phase, double layer phase, and relaxation phase. This allows one to explain the parameter dependencies of the oscillation frequency. For a periodically driven discharge, mode‐locking in a period‐2 state is found and explained by the model. The mode‐locking phenomenon is studied systematically. The results of the simulations are well confirmed by experimental observations presented in Part II of this paper [T. Klinger et al., Phys. Plasmas 2, 1822 (1995)].

35 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: According to the Maier-Saupe theory, the order induced by a magnetic field in a liquid crystal above the nematic-isotropic transition varies with temperature as (T − T ∗ ) -1 as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: According to the Landau-de Gennes theory, the order induced by a magnetic field in a liquid crystal above the nematic-isotropic transition varies with temperature as ( T − T ∗ ) -1 . Application of the Maier-Saupe theory predicts that the induced order varies as [ T − T ∗ (1 + η)] -1 , where η is both field temperature dependent. Comparison of free energy expansions suggests that the Maier-Saupe result may provide a better description of field induced order.

26 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the polarized fluorescence intensity for a stilbene guest molecule dissolved in nematic liquid crystals (5CB, 7CB and PCH7) has been used to study the molecular orientational order in thin aligned samples.
Abstract: The measurements of the polarized fluorescence intensity for a stilbene guest molecule dissolved in nematic liquid crystals (5CB, 7CB and PCH7) have been used to study the molecular orientational order in thin aligned samples. The temperature dependence of the order parameters ⟨P2⟩ and ⟨P4⟩ have been investigated. The attempt for the explanation of the different behaviour of ⟨P4⟩ parameter in the various liquid crystals has been undertaken. On the basis of the experimental ⟨P2⟩ and ⟨P4⟩ values some information about the orientational distribution of molecules in guest-host mixture have been obtained.

24 citations