Liquid Crystals and their Computer Simulations

A comprehensive introduction to liquid crystals and their computer simulations suitable for students, researchers and industrial scientists.

Claudio Zannoni (Author)

9781108424059, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 July 2022

650 pages
25 x 17.5 x 4 cm, 1.36 kg

'[This] impressive book gives a comprehensive account of the science of liquid crystals, from the microscopic, molecular, viewpoint… The title somewhat under-sells the full scope of the book, which embraces experiment and theory as well as simulation. Indeed, the book explains how we use a whole range of experimental techniques, as well as the detailed information generated by molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, to understand how and why molecules form mesophases, how they are arranged, and how they move… this is a wonderful piece of work, containing a wealth of information and detail, and it indeed fills a large gap in the field. The scope is extremely ambitious, especially considering the necessary mathematical background, but Professor Zannoni has succeeded admirably in covering such a range, while making it so readable… extremely useful, both as a reference for established researchers in the field, and as a starting-out point for graduate students.' Michael P. Allen, Liquid Crystals Today

Standing as the first unified textbook on the subject, Liquid Crystals and Their Computer Simulations provides a comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of liquid crystals and of their Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics computer simulations. Liquid crystals have a complex physical nature, and, therefore, computer simulations are a key element of research in this field. This modern text develops a uniform formalism for addressing various spectroscopic techniques and other experimental methods for studying phase transitions of liquid crystals, and emphasises the links between their molecular organisation and observable static and dynamic properties. Aided by the inclusion of a set of Appendices containing detailed mathematical background and derivations, this book is accessible to a broad and multidisciplinary audience. Primarily intended for graduate students and academic researchers, it is also an invaluable reference for industrial researchers working on the development of liquid crystal display technology.

Preface. 1. Phases and mesophases
2. Phase transitions
3. Order parameters
4. Distributions
5. Particle-particle interactions
6. Dynamics
7. Molecular theories
8. Monte Carlo
9. Molecular dynamics
10. Lattice models
11. Molecular simulations
12. Atomistic simulations. Appendices. References. Subject index.

Subject Areas: Condensed matter physics [liquid state & solid state physics PHFC]