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Title: Unique Pitch Evolution in the Smectic -C-alpha* Phase

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters

Employing resonant x-ray diffraction, we observed unique pitch evolutions in the smectic-C{alpha}* phase in mixtures of two antiferroelectric liquid crystals. Our results show that the pitch in this phase continuously evolves across 4 layers, contradicting a theoretical model that predicts that the smectic-C{sub FI2}* phase intervenes in the smectic-C{alpha}* phase. The phase sequences we found can be explained by another model that includes one type of long-range interaction among smectic layers.

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:
930521
Report Number(s):
BNL-80520-2008-JA; PRLTAO; TRN: US200904%%764
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Vol. 99, Issue 7; ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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