https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2004-00045-0
Shear-induced undulation of smectic-
: Molecular dynamics simulations vs. analytical theory
1
Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, 55021, Mainz, Germany
2
Theoretische Physik III, Universität Bayreuth, 95440, Bayreuth, Germany
* e-mail: Thomas.Soddemann@rzg.mpg.de
** e-mail: guenter.auernhammer@mpip-mainz.mpg.de
Experiments on a variety of systems have shown that layered liquids are unstable under shear even if the liquid layers are planes of constant velocity. We investigate the stability of smectic-A like liquids under shear using Molecular Dynamics simulations and a macroscopic hydrodynamic theory (including the layer normal and the director as independent variables). Both methods show an instability of the layers, which sets in above a critical shear rate. We find a remarkable qualitative and reasonable quantitative agreement between both methods for the spatial homogeneous state and the onset of the instability.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, and Springer-Verlag, 2004
