Maier-Saupe mean field model

The Maier-Saupe model is widely used as a model of the nematic phase. The Maier-Saupe model is based on long-range dispersion forces, and has the form

$U(\cos \theta )={\overline {u}}_{2}{\overline {P}}_{2}P_{2}(\cos \theta )$

where $\theta$ is the angle between the molecular symmetry axis and the director. ${\overline {P}}_{2}$ is the order parameter

References

1. W. Maier and A. Saupe "EINE EINFACHE MOLEKULARE THEORIE DES NEMATISCHEN KRISTALLINFLUSSIGEN ZUSTANDES", Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A 13 pp. 564- (1958)
2. W. Maier and A. Saupe "EINE EINFACHE MOLEKULAR-STATISTISCHE THEORIE DER NEMATISCHEN KRISTALLINFLUSSIGEN PHASE .1", Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A 14 pp. 882- (1959)
3. W. Maier and A. Saupe "EINE EINFACHE MOLEKULAR-STATISTISCHE THEORIE DER NEMATISCHEN KRISTALLINFLUSSIGEN PHASE .2", Zeitschrift für Naturforschung A 15 pp. 287- (1960)
4. P A Vuillermot and M V Romerio "Exact solution of the Maier-Saupe model for a nematic liquid crystal on a one-dimensional lattice", Journal of Physics C: Solid State Physics 6 pp. 2922-2930 (1973)
5. G. R. LUCKHURST and C. ZANNONI "Why is the Maier−Saupe theory of nematic liquid crystals so successful?", Nature 267 pp. 412 - 414 (1977)