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Evidence for Triclinic Symmetry in Smectic Liquid Crystals of Bent-Shape Molecules

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
The first experimental evidence for triclinic symmetry of bulk smectic liquid-crystal samples of achiral banana-shaped molecules is presented. This phase corresponds to the so-called Sm-C{sub G} phase consisting of biaxial molecules and characterized by two tilt directions with respect to the layer normal: tilt of the molecular plane (clinic) and tilt of the molecular kink direction (leaning). Each smectic layer has a polarization component normal to the smectic layers (C{sub 1} symmetry). The observations suggest that the phase tentatively labeled as B{sub 7} is identical with the Sm-C{sub G} phase.
Sponsoring Organization:
(US)
OSTI ID:
40204710
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 25 Vol. 86; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
The American Physical Society
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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