Smectic-C* alpha-smectic-C* Phase Transition and Critical Point in Binary Mixtures

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2006 · Physical Review E: Stat. Phys., Plasmas, Fluids

OSTI ID:930565

Liu, Z; Wang, S; McCoy, B; Cady, A; Pindak, R; Caliebe, W; Takekoshi, K; Ema, K; Nguyen, H; Huang, C

We have investigated the smectic-C*{sub {alpha}}-smectic-C* (SmC*{sub {alpha}}-SmC*) transition in a series of binary mixtures with resonant x-ray diffraction, differential optical reflectivity, and heat capacity measurements. Results show that the phases are separated by a first-order transition that ends at a critical point. We report the observation of such a critical point. We have proposed the appropriate order parameter and obtained values of two critical exponents associated with this transition. The values of the critical exponents suggest that long-range intersections are present in the SmC*{sub {alpha}}-SmC* critical regions.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States). National Synchrotron Light Source
• Sponsoring Organization: Doe - Office Of Science
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 930565
• Report Number(s): BNL-80729-2008-JA; PLEEE8; TRN: US200904%%591
• Journal Information: Physical Review E: Stat. Phys., Plasmas, Fluids, Vol. 74; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BINARY MIXTURES
ORDER PARAMETERS
REFLECTIVITY
SPECIFIC HEAT
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
PHASE STUDIES
national synchrotron light source