Ellipsometry at the nematic-isotropic phase transition in a confined geometry

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.53.636· OSTI ID:283750

Crandall, K A; Rosenblatt, C ^[1]; Aliev, F M ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7079 (United States)
2. Department of Physics and Materials Research Center, University of Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 23343, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-3343 (United States)

Small, parallel, cylindrical pores in a thin polymer film were impregnated with the liquid crystal pentylcyanobiphenyl. Optical retardation measurements, performed around the bulk nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature, are reported. Relative to the bulk, a depression {Delta}{ital T}{sub N}{sub I} of the phase transition temperature region was observed, although for the smallest diameter pores ({ital d}=150 A), {Delta}{ital T}{sub N}{sub I} was found to be larger than expected. The profile of the optical retardation vs temperature was also found to be anomalously sharp for the {ital d}=150 A pores. The results are discussed in terms of current models. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

• OSTI ID: 283750
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 53; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CONFINEMENT
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE
ELLIPSOMETRY
ISOTROPY
LIQUID CRYSTALS
NEMATIC CRYSTALS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS