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Hexatic and crystal phase transitions in thin free-standing liquid-crystal films

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters; (USA)
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  1. School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455 (US) AT T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974 School of Chemistry, The University, Hull HU6 7RX, England Department of Physics and Astronomy, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York 14260 Department of Biophysics, Roswell Park Memorial Institute, Buffalo, New York 14263

Thermal and structural studies have been performed on thin films of {ital n}-heptyl-4{prime}-{ital n}-pentyloxylbiphenyl-4-carboxylate (75OBC). Similar to 65OBC, a surface hexatic phase is observed for films greater than four molecular layers in thickness. Four- and three-layer films display a single, two-dimensional liquid-hexatic transition. The four-layer heat-capacity anomaly is described well by a divergent power-law expression. The three-layer heat-capacity anomaly is qualitatively the same, although its size is greatly reduced. Also, a surface crystal-{ital E} phase is observed immediately below the liquid-hexatic transition(s).

DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH00016
OSTI ID:
5976852
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (USA) Vol. 66:10; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English