Vortex Dynamics in a Hybrid Aligned Nematic Microvolume with an Orientational Defect

Abstract

The aim of this theoretical paper is to investigate the physical mechanism responsible for the appearance of vortex flow in a hybrid aligned nematic (HAN) microvolume with an orientational defect, excited by a temperature gradient ∇T. This was done in the framework of the classical Ericksen-Leslie theory, supplemented by thermomechanical correction of the shear stress and Rayleigh dissipation function, as well as taking into account the entropy balance equation. We have carried out a numerical study of the system of hydrodynamic equations including director reorientation, fluid flow v, and the temperature redistribution across the HAN microvolume under the influence of ∇T, when the HAN microvolume is heated from above. Calculations show that, due to the interaction between the gradient of the director field ∇n^ and ∇T, the HAN microvolume settles down to a stationary complex vortex flow regime.