Mathematical problems in liquid crystals (2)
Research Group Zarnescu
June 1 - July 30, 2012
Organizers: Radu Ignat, Luc Nguyen, Valeriy Slastikov, Arghir Zarnescu
This program brings together young analysts conducting research in variational models for liquid crystals to make a signi ficant progress in several challenging open problems. The proposed research aims to investigate liquid-crystalline systems that are described by Landau-De Gennes Q-tensor theory. The research group is particularly interested in understanding singularities, defects and phase transitions in these systems. For that the group is planning to employ methods developed for harmonic maps theory and Ginzburg-Landau theory of superconductivity, and extend them to their setting. The study will reduce a widening gap between numerical simulations and analytical understanding of liquid crystalline systems. It will also help to develop new analytical tools for investigation of other physical systems, e.g. polymers, complex fluids.