Phases with orientational order but partial or no positional order: nematic (directional only), smectic (layered), cholesteric (helical). Frank elastic free energy F = ½∫(K₁(∇·n)² + K₂(n·∇×n)² + K₃(n×∇×n)²) dV governs distortions of the…
Phases with orientational order but partial or no positional order: nematic (directional only), smectic (layered), cholesteric (helical). Frank elastic free energy F = ½∫(K₁(∇·n)² + K₂(n·∇×n)² + K₃(n×∇×n)²) dV governs distortions of the…