New Method for Analysis of Liquid Crystal Elasticity

Orientational elastic constant k$\text{}_{11}$, k$\text{}_{33}$ and k$\text{}_{13}$ of liquid crystals are determined by a new way. Liquid crystalline waveguide is applied to measure refractive index profile across the waveguide layer. Results of the measurements allow one to find local director field within the liquid crystalline layer. Director field is applied to transform the Frank-Oseen equations into a form of an overdetermined algebraic system of equations with elastic constants as unknown variables. A solution of those equations has been found by the orthogonal decomposition method. Elastic constants for nematic mixture, W602, and main component of it, 6CHBT (4-trans-4-n-hexyl-cyclohexyl-isothiocyanatobenzene), have been obtained as well as anchoring energy values