Ferronematics in magnetic and electric fields

Abstract

We consider the effect of a magnetic field on a ferronematic. It is shown that first order Freedericksz transitions are possible in such systems as a consequence of elastic and diamagnetic anisotropies. Interestingly the possibility exists for a first order transition from a splay-bend distortion to a pure twist distortion or vice versa at a second threshold. A super-imposed electric field can also result in a first order Freedericksz transition.