The cone phase of liquid crystals: Triangular lattice of double-tilt cylinders

Abstract

We predict the existence of a new defect-lattice phase near the nematic–smectic-C (NC) transition. This tilt-analogue of the blue phase is a lattice of double-tilt cylinders which are disclination lines in the smectic layer normal as well as the c-field. We discuss the structure and stability of the cone phase. We suggest that many ‘nematics’ exhibiting short range layering and tilt order may in fact be in the molten cone phase, which is a line liquid.