First Order Freedericksz Transition in Ferronematics

Abstract
The influence of segregation effects on the magnetic field induced orientational phase transitions in a ferronematic is investigated. The magnetic field orientation orthogonal to layer surface are examined. Distributions of the director, the magnetization and the concentration of magnetic particles are found at various values of magnetic field strength, energy of cohesion of magnetic particles with a nematic, Frank elastic constants and segregation parameter. We found out, that Freedericksz transition in ferronematics could be the phase transition both of the first and the second order.

Keywords: ferronematic, liquid crystal, phase transitions, tricritical point