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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/18739
Viscous fingering in liquid crystals: Anisotropy and morphological transitions
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We show that a minimal model for viscous fingering with a nematic liquid crystal in which anisotropy is considered to enter through two different viscosities in two perpendicular directions can be mapped to a twofold anisotropy in the surface tension. We numerically integrate the dynamics of the resulting problem with the phase-field approach to find and characterize a transition between tip splitting and side branching as a function of both anisotropy and dimensionless surface tension. This anisotropy dependence could explain the experimentally observed (reentrant) transition as temperature and applied pressure are varied. Our observations are also consistent with previous experimental evidence in viscous fingering within an etched cell and simulations of solidification.
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FOLCH MANZANARES, Roger, CASADEMUNT I VIADER, Jaume and HERNÁNDEZ MACHADO, Aurora. Viscous fingering in liquid crystals: Anisotropy and morphological transitions. Physical Review E. 2000. Vol. 61, num. 6, pags. 6632-6638. ISSN 1539-3755. [consulted: 9 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/18739