Spin Dynamics for the Lebwohl-Lasher Model

A spin dynamics algorithm, combining checkerboard updating and a rotation algorithm based on the local second-rank ordering field, is developed for the Lebwohl-Lasher model of liquid crystals. The method is shown to conserve energy well and to generate simulation averages which are consistent with those obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. However, care must be taken to avoid the undesirable effects of director rotation, and a method for doing this is proposed.