Abstract
It is shown that the Frank elastic constants may be expressed in terms of even-order Legendre polynomials averaged over the one-molecule orientational distribution function. In particular, it is found that , where , and are constants, which depend on the details of the system, and is the weighted average of the th Legendre polynomial. Higher-order terms in these series involve , etc. The constants and are calculated for the case of rodlike molecules interacting via a hard-core repulsion. The results are in good agreement with experiments on the substance -azoxyanisole.
- Received 7 August 1972
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.7.720
©1973 American Physical Society