Discovery of a Novel Smectic-C Liquid Crystal Phase with Six Layer Periodicity

Journal Article · Wed Jan 13 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.027801· OSTI ID:1040325

Wang, S; Pindak, R; Pan, L D; Liu, Z Q; Nguyen, H T; Huang, C C

We report the discovery of a new smectic-C* liquid-crystal phase with six-layer periodicity by resonant x-ray diffraction. Upon cooling, the new phase appears between the SmC{sub {alpha}}* phase having a helical structure and the SmC{sub d4}* phase with four-layer periodicity. This SmC{sub d6}* phase was identified in two mixtures which have an unusual reversed SmC{sub d4}*-SmC* phase sequence. The SmC{sub d6}* phase shows a distorted clock structure. Three theoretical models have predicted the existence of a six-layer phase. However, our experimental findings are not consistent with the theories.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab. (BNL), Upton, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1040325
• Report Number(s): BNL-91044-2010-JA; PRLTAO; R&D Project: LS001; KC0401030; TRN: US1202396
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 104, Issue 2; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
LIQUID CRYSTALS
MIXTURES
PERIODICITY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION