Bistable Phenomena in Ferronematic Layer with Soft Cohesion

Abstract
Within the framework of the continuum theory the influence of anisotropy of the surface cohesion on the magnetic field induced orientational transitions in a flat layer of a ferronematic is investigated. The ferronematic with soft homeotropic conditions of cohesion of magnetic particles with a nematic matrix is examined. Threshold values of magnetic field strength are determined and their dependence on material parameters of magnetic suspension and energy of surface cohesion is studied. It is shown, that in the dependence on the parameter of anisotropy of ferronematic of surface cohesion there can be phase transitions both of the first, and the second order.

Keywords: ferronematic, magnetic suspension, bistability