Measurement of anisotropic interfacial interactions between a nematic liquid crystal and various substrates

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Abstract
Wall effects on the Freedericksz transition have been calculated and used to evaluate the interfacial interactions between nematic molecules and substrates. A total reflection method was developed to observe the Freedericksz transition. Both the easy axis and the anchoring strength were measured on the interfaces between MBBA and substrates with several surfactant layers. Experimental results indicate that the polar group of the surfactants plays several roles in their molecular orienting forces.