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SUMMARY:Modelling planar bistable devices: from Q-tensor to director model
 s - Mottram\, N (University of Strathclyde)
DTSTART:20130319T110000Z
DTEND:20130319T115000Z
UID:TALK44001@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Mustapha Amrani
DESCRIPTION:In this talk we continue the theme of bistable devices from th
 e previous presentation. Here we compare the Q-tensor model to a director 
 based model\, i.e. moving from a mesoscopic approach to a macroscopic appr
 oach\, in a number of practical examples. We consider the polygonal confin
 ement considered in the previous talk and extend to more general cases of 
 bistability and multistability arising from the morphology of bounding sub
 strates. Bifurcation diagrams of stable states\, as parameters such as anc
 horing strength are varied\, are computed. We review some of the advantage
 s and disadvantages of the two modelling approaches and compare results to
  experimental measurements. Although a director based model is inherently 
 restricted in its inability to model effects such as surface melting and d
 isclination lines\, we find that all stable states are in fact reproduced.
  Additionally we find that\, rather surprisingly\, the dynamics of switchi
 ng in the bistable devices can be modelled accu rately using a director th
 eory. \n
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Newton Institute
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