@article{discovery1407465, number = {21}, month = {June}, year = {2002}, title = {Simultaneous calculation of the helical pitch and the twist elastic constant in chiral liquid crystals from intermolecular torques}, journal = {Journal of Chemical Physics}, volume = {116}, note = {Reprinted with permission from Germano, G; Allen, MP; Masters, AJ; (2002) Simultaneous calculation of the helical pitch and the twist elastic constant in chiral liquid crystals from intermolecular torques. Journal of Chemical Physics, 116 (21) pp. 9422-9430. 10.1063/1.1475747. Copyright 2002, American Institute of Physics.}, pages = {9422--9430}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1475747}, issn = {0021-9606}, abstract = {We present a molecular simulation method that yields simultaneously the equilibrium pitch wave number q and the twist elastic constant K2 of a chiral nematic liquid crystal by sampling the torque density. A simulation of an untwisted system in periodic boundary conditions gives the product K2q; a further simulation with a uniform twist applied provides enough information to separately determine the two factors. We test our new method for a model potential, comparing the results with K2q from a thermodynamic integration route, and with K2 from an order fluctuation analysis. We also present a thermodynamic perturbation theory analysis valid in the limit of weak chirality.}, author = {Germano, G and Allen, MP and Masters, AJ} }