Abstract
Based on simplifications of previous numerical calculations [H. Graf and H. Löwen, Phys. Rev. E 59, 1932 (1999)], we propose algebraic free energy expressions for the smectic-A liquid crystal phase and the crystal phases of hard spherocylinders. Quantitative agreement with simulations is found for the resulting equations of state. The free energy expressions can be used to straightforwardly compute the full phase behavior for all aspect ratios and to provide a suitable benchmark for exploring how attractive interrod interactions mediate the phase stability through perturbation approaches such as free-volume or van der Waals theory.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 062707 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Physical Review E |
| Volume | 101 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 29 Jun 2020 |
Funding
We thank Á. González García and J. Opdam for useful discussions on cell theory and the columnar phase of hard plates. We are indebted to H. N. W. Lekkerkerker for useful discussions and suggestions. M.V. acknowledges the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) for a Veni Grant (No. 722.017.005).
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek | 722.017.005 |