Saupe Theory Order Parameter Near Tc

Maier-Saupe Theory Order Parameter Near Tc 

Following the formalism of deGennes, the interaction eneigy may be written as 

ORDER PARAMETER, PHASE TRANSITION, AND FREE ENERGIES 

The transition at 7 = 7 is a first-order one. The order parameter just below 7 is 

It has also been demonstrated that the temperature dependence of the order parameter of most nematics is well approximated by the expression.  

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