Eur. Phys. J. E (2017) 40: 48
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2017-11537-1

Regular Article

Generalization of the Ericksen-Leslie theory

Unidade Acadêmica do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, BR 101 Sul, 5225, 54503-900, Ponte dos Carvalhos, Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Brazil

^* e-mail: carlindo.vitoriano@ufrpe.br

Received: 20 October 2016
Accepted: 24 March 2017
Published online: 24 April 2017

Abstract

We generalize the Ericksen-Leslie theory for the dynamics of nematic liquid crystals by including the director-density coupling energy . It corresponds to the cost in energy due to the interaction of spatially varying mass density and the liquid crystal director . A striking confirmation of the theory is achieved by confronting it with experimental data on acoustical Fréedericksz transition.