Science
Since November 1998, Viktor has been involved in a PhD project, sponsored by D.E.R.A. (Malvern) and is currently completing his Thesis for submission. The aim of the project is to study the phase behaviour of liquid crystals (LCs) and LC mixtures using the Lebwohl-Lasher model along with Monte Carlo method. It allows to explore the phase behaviour, order parameter and structural changes in such systems and to compare the results with theoretical and experimental approaches. The work relates to computer simulations performed with the aim of promoting greater understanding of the mechanisms responsible for phase behaviour in mesogenic materials. Lattice models approximate physical systems using an array of interacting "spins" whose locations are fixed on an underlying lattice. The Lebwohl-Lasher lattice model of a liquid crystal, which is based on the simple Meier-Saupe site-site interaction, captures much of the essential physics of the isotropic-nematic transition. The basic model has been extended by incorporating two different spin types.With this model, the temperature-concentration phase diagrams for a range of coupling constants have been explored (More>>).

See also sections 'work profile.science' for physics of LC; 'intersts.computers' for computer modelling software of LC.