Temperature-driven polar anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals: computer simulations

Using a collective inverted-pendulum model, we have performed computer simulations of temperature-driven anchoring transitions in nematic liquid crystals. Behavior reminiscent of some of the experimentally observed anchoring transitions was obtained in our simulations. We have thus shown that anchoring transitions can be induced by the thermal motion of the substrate. These effects, which originate in molecules in direct contact with the substrate, then propagate into the bulk of the liquid crystal.