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A Landau-de Gennes model that integrates the nematic quadrupolar tensor orderparameter and complex smectic-A order parameters is used to simulate thetwo-dimensional growth of an initially homogeneous smectic-A spherulite in anisotropic matrix. These simulations are performed in the shape-dynamic(nano-scale) regime of growth under two material conditions: isotropic nematicelasticity and equal splay-bend nematic elasticity. A comparison of the growthkinetics, spherulite morphology, interfacial/bulk energy landscapes betweenboth cases is made showing that equal nematic splay-bend elasticity is requiredto reproduce past experimental and theoretical observations. Additionally, apreviously unknown undulation instability during spherulite growth is foundwhich, in conjunction with preferred planar anchoring and defect sheddingmechanisms at micron length scales, could explain the formation mechanism offocal conic curvature defects and ultimately smectic-A "batonnet" structuresobserved experimentally.

Shape-dynamic growth, structure, and elasticity of homogeneously oriented spherulites in an isotropic/smectic-A mesophase transition