Classifying local anisotropy formed by rigid molecules: symmetries and tensors

DOI10.1137/20M134071XzbMATH Open1457.76019arXiv2005.12480WikidataQ114074197 ScholiaQ114074197MaRDI QIDQ5149209FDOQ5149209

Authors: Jie Xu 

Publication date: 8 February 2021

Published in: SIAM Journal on Applied Mathematics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: We consider an infinitesimal volume where there are many rigid molecules of the same kind, and discuss the description and classification of the local anisotropy in this volume by tensors. First, we examine the symmetry of a rigid molecule, which is described by a point group in $SO(3)$. For each point group in $SO(3)$, we find the tensors invariant under the rotations in the group. These tensors shall be symmetric and traceless. We write down the explicit expressions. The order parameters to describe the local anisotropy are then chosen as some of the invariant tensors averaged about the density function. Next, we discuss the classification of local anisotropy by the symmetry of the whole infinitesimal volume. This mesoscopic symmetry can be recognized by the value of the order parameter tensors in the sense of maximum entropy state. For some sets of order parameter tensors involving different molecular symmetries, we give the classification of mesoscopic symmetries, in which the three-fold, four-fold and polyhedral symmetries are examined.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2005.12480

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zbMATH Keywords

liquid crystalmolecular symmetrygroup SO(3)mesoscopic symmetrysymmetric traceless tensor

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Liquid crystals (76A15) Applications of Lie groups to the sciences; explicit representations (22E70) Statistical mechanics of random media, disordered materials (including liquid crystals and spin glasses) (82D30) Foundations of fluid mechanics (76A02)

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Cited In (5)

• \(Q\)-tensor gradient flow with quasi-entropy and discretizations preserving physical constraints
• Quasi-entropy by log-determinant covariance matrix and application to liquid crystals
• Rigorous biaxial limit of a molecular-theory-based two-tensor hydrodynamics
• Determination of the symmetry classes of orientational ordering tensors
• Frame Hydrodynamics of Biaxial Nematics from Molecular-Theory-Based Tensor Models

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