Elasticity of a Nematic Polymer in the Infinite Molecular Chain Limit

Some of the consequences of constructing a nematic phase out of infinitely long non-rigid molecules are discussed. The basic idea consists in the fact that splay deformation is difficult in a nematic composed of long molecules and becomes strictly impossible in the infinite molecular chain limit. Some of the implications of this effect for low energy elastic deformations in a polymer nematic liquid crystal are explored. A practically important example of the interaction of a long molecular chain nematic with an undulating surface is worked out.