Physics of liquid crystals

Course: Quantum computers, computing and information

Structural unit: Faculty of Physics

Title
Physics of liquid crystals
Code
ВК1.1
Module type
Вибіркова дисципліна для ОП
Educational cycle
Second
Year of study when the component is delivered
2021/2022
Semester/trimester when the component is delivered
4 Semester
Number of ECTS credits allocated
3
Learning outcomes
As a result of studying the course the student has to Know: basic concepts of liquid crystal theory, basic methods of calculating effective values of the dielectric permittivity tensor, calculating methods of the nematic liquid crystal director spatial distribution, methods of obtaining elastic energy of nematic liquid crystals orientational deformation; the liquid crystals behavior in an external electric or magnetic fields; Be able to: derive nematostatics equations, obtain critical values of phase transition temperature and order parameter, make theoretical calculations of the spatial distribution of the external electric field and the nematic liquid crystal director, model the optical properties of liquid crystal lenses using modern numerical packages.
Form of study
Full-time form
Prerequisites and co-requisites
To know physics and mathematics at the level that meets qualifications "Bachelor of Physics ", in particular to master necessary knowledge of the courses "Optics", "Electrodynamics", "Quantum mechanics”, “Thermodynamics and statistical physics”. Be able to apply previously obtained knowledge within the courses of mathematical analysis, mathematical physics, basics of vector and tensor analysis and differential equations; use modern computer software for solving problems of electrodynamics and minimization free energy functional. Have elementary skills in calculation of derivatives, integrals, building functions graphics, define and decompose functions in series and integral Fourier, in representation of Dirac delta function , gamma function, beta function .
Course content
The normative academic discipline "Physics of Liquid Crystals" is a component of the cycle of professional training of specialists of the educational and qualification level "Master of Physics". The discipline is devoted to the study of liquid crystal physics and their applications. Learning outcomes are the ability to solve complex problems and problems of research and innovation in physics and astronomy. While studying the discipline students have to master the knowledge of electrodynamics of inhomogeneous anisotropic composites based on liquid crystals; gaining knowledge of solving complex problems of liquid crystal physics by modern methods of theoretical physics, in particular, the theory of phase transformations and fluctuations, linear and nonlinear optics, hydrodynamics, defect theory, etc .; mastering and development of some computer programs and models used in solving complex problems of liquid crystal physics.
Recommended or required reading and other learning resources/tools
1. P. de Jean. Physics of liquid crystals . M .: Mir, 1977 2. S. Chandrasekar . Liquid crystals. M .: Mir, 1980 3. І.C. Khoo Liquid Crystals: Physical Properties and Nonlinear Optical Phenomena 4 . LD Landau , EM Lifshitz , Theoretical Physics, vol.8 Electrodynamics of continuous media, Moscow, Nauka, 1982 5. V. Yu. Reshetnyak. Cloaking by shells with radially inhomogeneous anisotropic permittivity/ V.Yu. Reshetnyak, I. P. Pinkevych,1 T. J. Sluckin, and D. R. Evans// Optical Express A32 – 2016 –Vol. 24, no. 2. – # 251939 6. Anna N. Morozovska. Controlling the domain structure of ferroelectric nanoparticles using tunable shells/ A. N. Morozovska, E. A. Eliseev, Y. M. Fomichov, Y. M. Vysochanskii, V. Yu. Reshetnyak, D. R. Evans// Acta Materialia 183 – 2020 –pp. 36-50 7. V. I. Zadorozhnii. The Frederiks effect and related phenomena in ferronematic materials/ V. I. Zadorozhnii, T. J. Sluckin, V. YU. Reshetnyak, and K. S. Thomas// Siam J. Appl. Math. – 2008 –Vol. 68, No. 6 – pp. 1688
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The total amount of 90 hours, including: Lectures - 30 hours. Independent work - 60 hours.
Assessment methods and criteria
Forms of student assessment: - semester assessment: 1. Modular test - 20 points 2. Defense of reports of independent works, oral answers, tasks: - 32 points / 8 points / 8 points. 3. Defense of the abstract - 12 points. - final assessment: in the form of a test: a written work followed by an oral interview - 20 points. An obligatory condition for admission to the test is to work out all independent works and pass a modular test. An applicant is not admitted to the final test if he / she scored less than 48 points during the semester.
Language of instruction
Ukrainian

Lecturers

This discipline is taught by the following teachers

Victor Reshetnyak
Department of theoretical physics
Faculty of Physics

Departments

The following departments are involved in teaching the above discipline

Department of theoretical physics
Faculty of Physics