Fast algorithms for liquid crystal modelling

Abstract

We review different modeling and computational methods to determine the Q-tensor representation of the director field alignment in the absence of defects. Under this condition it is possible to represent the reorientation dynamics of the director field as the motion of the Q-tensor over an invariant manifold. This new representation allows us to develop very accurate codes for the alignment that are orders of magnitude faster than an equivalent full Q-tensor code. We illustrate this principle by discussing the case of a pure liquid crystal with or without flow and the case of a liquid crystal doped with fixed metallic nano-inclusions.