Second-sound waves in nematic polymer solutions

Xin Wen
Phys. Rev. Lett. 66, 2887 – Published 3 June 1991
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Abstract

We show that the hydrodynamics in nematic polymer solutions (NPS) is substantially different from that in nematics of low-molecular-weight molecules (NLMM). In NPS, the diffusive splay-bend wave in NLMM is replaced by a propagating second sound that has only been known to exist in spatially ordered liquid crystals. This property is caused by two combined effects in NPS: (a) the coupling between the nematic director and the polymer concentration; (b) the additional solvent component. Recent experimental results suggest that the second sound can be measured in NPS.

  • Received 21 May 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.66.2887

©1991 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Xin Wen

  • Department of Chemistry and Center for Material Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139

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Vol. 66, Iss. 22 — 3 June 1991

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