Molecular model for de Vries type smectic-A-smectic-C phase transition in liquid crystals

Gorkunov, M.V. and Osipov, M.A. and Giesselmann, F. and Sluckin, T.J. and Lagerwall, J.P.F. (2007) Molecular model for de Vries type smectic-A-smectic-C phase transition in liquid crystals. Physical Review E: Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, 75 (6). ISSN 2470-0053 (https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.75.060701)

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Abstract

We develop both phenomenological and molecular-statistical theory of smectic-A-smectic-C phase transition with anomalously weak smectic layer contraction. Using a general mean-field molecular model, we demonstrate that a relatively simple interaction potential suffices to describe the transition both in conventional and de Vries type smectics. The theoretical results are in excellent agreement with experimental data. The approach can be used to describe tilting transitions in other soft matter systems.

ORCID iDs

Gorkunov, M.V., Osipov, M.A. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1836-1854, Giesselmann, F., Sluckin, T.J. and Lagerwall, J.P.F.;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)