Phenomenological theory of the nematic-antiferroelectric nematic-ferroelectric nematic phase sequence of transitions in liquid crystals
Abstract
This study examines the sequence of phases in liquid crystals, specifically the transition from nematic (N) to antiferroelectric nematic (NAF) to ferroelectric nematic (NF), using phenomenological theory. The free energy of the system is expressed in terms of the nematic order parameter, ferroelectric polarization, and antiferroelectric polarization. A thorough analysis is provided to understand the various phases that can arise, along with discussions on the stability conditions for each phase. Based on this model, the phase transitions from isotropic to nematic (I–N), nematic to antiferroelectric nematic (N–NAF), and antiferroelectric nematic to ferroelectric nematic (NAF–NF) were identified. The theoretical predictions made in this study align with the existing experimental results.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Liquid Crystal Research Advancements
Photorefractive and Nonlinear Optics
Nonlinear Photonic Systems
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Phase Transitions
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Volume
- 99
- Issue
- 3-4
- Pages
- 1–9
- Publication date
- 30 March 2026
- Language
- EN