A supra-molecular approach to the modelling of textures in liquid crystals

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Abstract
We report a simple numerical simulation that can model the evolution of liquid crystal textures from a random isotropic state. Rather than using a molecular description of the mesophase, a lattice of directors is used, corresponding to the supra-molecular orientational organization of the material. By minimizing an interaction energy between these, the development of the optimal structure may be followed. With a suitable choice of energy function this model can begin to predict some textures observed in small molecule liquid crystals.