Frank Elastic Energy
2D Nematic Director Field · Defect Dynamics
Frank Constants
K₁ (Splay):
1.0
K₂ (Twist):
1.0
K₃ (Bend):
1.0
Relaxation Speed:
0.15
Initial Configuration:
Twist (±½ defects)
Radial (splay)
Escaped configuration
Random
↺ Reset
Mode: Add +½ Defect
—
Frank Energy (arb.)
Frank free energy:
F = ½∫[K₁(∇·n̂)² + K₂(n̂·∇×n̂)² + K₃|n̂×∇×n̂|²]dV
In 2D: director n̂=(cosθ, sinθ). Splay defects have winding +1, hedgehog ±½. Click to perturb the field.