Faraday waves on a nematic liquid crystal, and its coupling with Marangoni convection about the thermal phase transition.

Abstract

Using a linear hydrodynamic theory, we demonstrate that Faraday waves occur in liquid crystalline fluids. The use of already experimentally known material parameters of a N-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-4-butylaniline liquid crystal allows us to confirm and realize the predictions of this theory. It provides the critical wave number and necessary driving acceleration at instability wave onset. Additionally, these observables experience an abrupt change originated by Marangoni convection due to the temperature gradient at the isotropic-nematic phase transition temperature. Correspondingly, the Marangoni number versus temperature also shows a sharp change in the transition temperature.