Steric molecular theory for multiple smectic-A phases

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Phys. Rev. A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.31.2464· OSTI ID:6035460

Dowell, F

Molecular-lattice-theory results reveal that the steric (hard-repulsive) packing of rigid cores and partially flexible tails can explain the relative stabilities of the smectic-A/sub 1/, smectic-A/sub d/, and higher-temperature and lower-temperature nematic (including reentrant-nematic) liquid-crystalline phases, and the isotropic liquid phase. These phases and transitions between them are presented as a function of temperature, pressure, tail-chain length and flexibility, and orientational and positional order of the molecules for different systems. Critical exponents calculated at the smectic-A/sub d/ to nematic transitions are consistent with an identification of the fraction of one-dimensional positional alignment (i.e., the fraction of segregated packing of cores with cores and thus of tails with tails) of the molecules in the smectic-A/sub d/ phase as an order parameter.

• Research Organization: Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 6035460
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. A; (United States) Vol. 31:4; ISSN PLRAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360402* -- Polymers & Plastics-- Structure & Phase Studies-- (-1987)
CRYSTALS
FLUIDS
LIQUID CRYSTALS
LIQUIDS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PHASE STABILITY
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
STABILITY
STEREOCHEMISTRY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE