The van der Waals theory of nematic liquids

Abstract

This paper describes the van der Waals theory of nematic liquids, an approximate molecular theory in which very short-range intermolecular repulsions are approximated by hard-rod exclusions, and somewhat longer-ranged intermolecular attractions are subject to a self-consistent mean-field treatment. The rationale, underlying assumptions, idealizations and approximations of the theory are presented in detail and the numerical results so far reported are summarized, together with the results of extensive new calculations, which provide a quite accurate test of the theory in its present state. Finally, the current status of the theory, its relative strengths and weaknesses, and the prospects for extending and improving it are discussed.