The anchoring of nematic molecules on magnetic particles in some types of ferronematics

The structural transitions in ferronematic based on 8CB and 6CHBT, exposed to combined electric and magnetic fields, are investigated. The influence of the presence of magnetic admixture on the Fredericksz transition threshold is studied. Using the found dependencies of critical fields on increasing magnetic particles volume concentration the type of anchoring was determined as soft with m perpendicular to n in 8CB and m parallel to n in 6CHBT-based ferronematics. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.