https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2004-00003-x
Stability of thin nematic films
Commentary on “Morphology and structure of thin liquid-crystalline films at nematic-isotropic transition” by P. Ziherl and S. Zumer
1
Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, UPR 8641 du CNRS, av. du Docteur Schweitzer, 33600, Pessac, France
2
Physique de la Matiére Condensée, Collége de France, UMR 7125 du CNRS, 11 place Marcelin Berthelot, 75005, Paris, France
* e-mail: vaneff@crpp-bordeaux.cnrs.fr
We discuss the peculiarity of thin nematic films on solid substrates with a free surface, underlining the differences with what is usually seen in dewetting. We review the thermodynamic basis of the coupled phase/thickness separation that has previously been shown experimentally. We give new experimental evidences for the origin of the coupling force chosen in our previous theoretical model. This additional information contributes to the discussion raised by the article of Ziherl and Zumer in this issue [19].
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, and Springer-Verlag, 2003
