Layer distortions induced by a magnetic field in planar samples of smectic C liquid crystals

Stewart, I.W. (2003) Layer distortions induced by a magnetic field in planar samples of smectic C liquid crystals. Liquid Crystals, 30 (8). pp. 909-920. ISSN 0267-8292 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0267829031000121008)

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Abstract

This article derives theoretical results for the onset of the Helfrich-Hurault transition in smectic C liquid crystals induced by a magnetic field applied parallel to the smectic layers. A suitable quadratic energy in terms of the smectic layer displacement u is derived from the nonlinear version of the smectic C energy. This energy is minimized via averaging to enable the calculation of a critical field strength Hc for the onset of layer distortions. Comparisons are made with known results for the corresponding geometry in the smectic A case. An estimate for the value of the smectic C elastic constant A12 can also be made by considering characteristic length scales.

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