Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/2289/2102
Title: | Role of molecular dipoles in liquid crystals |
Authors: | Madhusudana, N.V. |
Keywords: | antiparallel short-range order, biaxial smectic A phase cone phase polar molecules polar short-range order smectic C liquid crystals |
Issue Date: | 2004 |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Citation: | Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, 2004, Vol.409, p371-387 |
Abstract: | A vast majority of compounds exhibiting liquid crystalline phases have polar molecules. The nematic director is apolar, even when the molecules have cyano or nitro end-groups, as neighbouring molecules tend to have an antiparallel short-range order. This leads to a partial bilayer structure in the smectic A phase of rod-like molecules as also many interesting phase transitions. The latter can be understood on the basis of a change over to a polar short-range order as the density of the medium is increased. If the molecules have bent-cores and cyano end-groups, a partial bilayer biaxial smectic A phase is also found, implying the formation of quartets with an apolar structure. Lateral dipolar components lead to a tilting of molecules in smectic phases. This can be understood on the basis of the off-axis locations of such dipoles. A mean field theory of smectic C liquid crystals based on this mechanism gives results which reflect experimental trends. In appropriate cases, the possibility of occurrence of a cone-phase consisting of double-tilt cylinders is also pointed out. |
Description: | Restricted Access |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/2289/2102 |
ISSN: | 1542-1406 1563-5287 (Online) |
Alternative Location: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15421400490433721 |
Copyright: | 2004 Taylor & Francis |
Appears in Collections: | Research Papers (SCM) |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
---|---|---|---|---|
2004 MCLC 409 p371.pdf Restricted Access | Restricted Access | 145.29 kB | Adobe PDF | View/Open Request a copy |
Items in RRI Digital Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.