Abstract
Null transmission ellipsometry has been employed to study the molecular arrangements in freestanding films of two no-layer-shrinkage liquid crystal homologous compounds above the bulk smectic A -smectic C* (Sm C*) transition temperature. An unusual nonplanar-parallel or nonplanar-antiparallel- parallel transition has been observed in both compounds under a proper electric field. With the addition of one CH2 group, while the Sm C* phase is more stable thermally, the magnitude of the critical field needed to induce a parallel-antiparallel transition decreases dramatically.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 031707 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics |
Volume | 74 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 28 2006 |