= Distortion free energy density
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= Frank elastic energy
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{synonym}
= Frank free energy
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{synonym}
= Oseen-Frank free energy
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{synonym}
For a unit <nematic director>, the bulk elastic density is $[K_1(\nabla\cdot\mathbf n)^2+K_2(\mathbf n\cdot\nabla\times\mathbf n)^2+K_3|\mathbf n\times\nabla\times\mathbf n|^2]/2$. The three positive moduli penalize <nematic splay>, <nematic twist>, and <nematic bend>. Boundary elastic terms, chirality, or varying nematic order require additional contributions.
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