Function spaces for liquid crystals

We consider the relationship between three continuum liquid crystal theories: Oseen-Frank, Ericksen and Landau-de Gennes. It is known that the function space is an important part of the mathematical model and by considering various function space choices for the order parameters $s$, ${\bf n}$, and ${\bf Q}$, we establish connections between the variational formulations of these theories. We use these results to derive a version of the Oseen-Frank theory using special functions of bounded variation. This proposed model can describe both orientable and non-orientable defects. Finally we study a number of frustrated nematic and cholesteric liquid crystal systems and show that the model predicts the existence of point and surface discontinuities in the director

Analysis of local minima for constrained minimization problems

We consider vectorial problems in the calculus of variations with an additional pointwise constraint. Our admissible mappings ${\bf n}:\mathbb{R}^k\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^d$ satisfy ${\bf n}(x)\in M$, where $M$ is a manifold embedded in Euclidean space. The main results of the paper all formulate necessary or sufficient conditions for a given mapping ${\bf n}$ to be a weak or strong local minimizer. Our methods involve using projection mappings in order to build on existing, unconstrained, local minimizer results. We apply our results to a liquid crystal variational problem to quantify the stability of the unwound cholesteric state under frustrated boundary conditions

An onboard deorbit target line computation technique

The design concept and results of a target line generator software package, which was developed to provide the onboard entry interface range, were documented. This generator, which was eventually reduced to one linear equation, was developed to the point that it provides autonomous landing site relocation capability, negligible core storage, and acceptable performance for the cases tested

A Topological Separation Condition for Fractal Attractors

We consider finite systems of contractive homeomorphisms of a complete metric space, which are non-redundant on every level. In general this separation condition is weaker than the strong open set condition and is not equivalent to the weak separation property. We prove that this separation condition is equivalent to the strong Markov property (see definition below). We also show that the set of $N$-tuples of contractive homeomorphisms, which are non-redundant on every level, is a $G_\delta$ set in the topology of pointwise convergence of every component mapping with an additional requirement that the supremum of contraction coefficients of mappings be strictly less than one. We give several sufficient conditions for this separation property. For every fixed $N$-tuple of $d\times d$ invertible contraction matrices from a certain class, we obtain density results for $N$-tuples of fixed points which define $N$-tuples of mappings non-redundant on every level.Comment: 19 page

Distribution of periodic points of polynomial diffeomorphisms of C^2

This paper deals with the dynamics of a simple family of holomorphic diffeomorphisms of \C^2: the polynomial automorphisms. This family of maps has been studied by a number of authors. We refer to [BLS] for a general introduction to this class of dynamical systems. An interesting object from the point of view of potential theory is the equilibrium measure $\mu$ of the set $K$ of points with bounded orbits. In [BLS] $\mu$ is also characterized dynamically as the unique measure of maximal entropy. Thus $\mu$ is also an equilibrium measure from the point of view of the thermodynamical formalism. In the present paper we give another dynamical interpretation of $\mu$ as the limit distribution of the periodic points of $f$

Matrix Big Brunch

Following the holographic description of linear dilaton null Cosmologies with a Big Bang in terms of Matrix String Theory put forward by Craps, Sethi and Verlinde, we propose an extended background describing a Universe including both Big Bang and Big Crunch singularities. This belongs to a class of exact string backgrounds and is perturbative in the string coupling far away from the singularities, both of which can be resolved using Matrix String Theory. We provide a simple theory capable of describing the complete evolution of this closed Universe.Comment: 15 pages, no figures. References adde

Polynomial diffeomorphisms of C^2, IV: The measure of maximal entropy and laminar currents

This paper concerns the dynamics of polynomial automorphisms of ${\bf C}^2$. One can associate to such an automorphism two currents $\mu^\pm$ and the equilibrium measure $\mu=\mu^+\wedge\mu^-$. In this paper we study some geometric and dynamical properties of these objects. First, we characterize $\mu$ as the unique measure of maximal entropy. Then we show that the measure $\mu$ has a local product structure and that the currents $\mu^\pm$ have a laminar structure. This allows us to deduce information about periodic points and heteroclinic intersections. For example, we prove that the support of $\mu$ coincides with the closure of the set of saddle points. The methods used combine the pluripotential theory with the theory of non-uniformly hyperbolic dynamical systems

Alien Registration- Bedford, Mildred J. (Bar Harbor, Hancock County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/19929/thumbnail.jp

Global minimisers of cholesteric liquid crystal systems

In this paper we examine the modelling and minimisation of cholesteric liquid crystals systems within the Oseen-Frank theory. We focus on a cuboid domain with the frustrated boundary conditions ${\bf n}(0,x,y)=(1,0,0)$ and ${\bf n}(1,x,y)=(0,0,1)$. With general elastic constants, we find the unique global minimisers amongst functions of one variable and prove that these are global minimisers of the entire problem if the cholesteric pitch is sufficiently long. Finally we show that our analysis easily translates over the study the global stability of the constant state ${\bf n}(x,y,z) = (0,0,1)$ with unfrustrated boundary conditions.Comment: Version 2: Acknowledgements added and some small English errors correcte