Dielectric anisotropy of a nematic ($\Delta ϵ={ϵ}_{\parallel }-{ϵ}_{\perp }$)

The dielectric response differs along and perpendicular to the nematic director. In Gaussian units the orientational electric contribution at prescribed field is $-\Delta ϵ(\mathbf{E}\cdot \mathbf{n}{)}^2/(8\pi )$; positive anisotropy favors alignment with the electric field. The electric term does not receive the additional one-half convention used in writing the Frank elastic terms.