Dynamics of deformation of a nematic under strong crossed electric and magnetic fields

A new mode of reorientation of the field of director $\hat n$ of a nematic liquid crystal (LC) encapsulated into a rectangular cell under strong crossed electric $(\mathbf{E})$ and magnetic $(\mathbf{B})$ fields has been proposed. Numerical calculations performed within the linear generalization of the classical Ericksen–Leslie theory show that transition periodic structures facilitating a decrease in the effective rotational viscosity of a nematic, formed by 4-$n$-pentyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (5CB) molecules, may arise during reorientation of $\hat n$ at certain ratios of the moments and momenta per unit volume of the LC phase and when $E\gg E_{th}$. The calculations conducted for 5CB also indicate that the periodic structures formed in a LC cell facilitate a decrease in reorientation time $\tau_{\operatorname{on}}$ of the director field.