Dissipation of Energy in a Compressible Nematic Microvolume Under Effect of a Temperature Gradient

We have carried out a numerical study of hydrodynamic processes in the hybrid-aligned channel of a compressible liquid crystal (HACLC) under the effect of a temperature gradient ∇T applied across a liquid crystal film. Calculations based on the classical Leslie–Ericksen theory showed that under the effect of ∇T, the HACLC sample settles down to a stationary flow regime with both horizontal u and vertical w components of velocity v, and the direction and magnitude of v are strongly effected by the direction of ∇T. Calculations also showed that the relaxation of the stress tensor components σij(z,t)(i,j=x,z) in the hybrid-aligned compressible nematic microvolume is determined by the direction and magnitude of the thermomechanical force.