Surface effects on magnetic Freedericksz transition in ferronematics with soft particle anchoring

Abstract The magnetic field-induced Freedericksz transition in a homeotropically aligned ferronematic (FN) in the case of weak anchoring molecules to the walls is studied. A correction to the Burylov–Raikher expression for the second-order transition threshold field is found. The possibility of a first-order transition is discussed in connection with the similar results for nematic liquid crystals. The saturation magnetic field is also obtained in terms of FN, surface and device parameters.