ELASTIC THEORY FOR LANGMUIR-BLODGETT-FILMS

An elastic theory for Langmuir-Blodgett films is presented. The expres sion for the free energy density of the film is obtained in terms of t he deformation tensor by means of symmetry considerations and by makin g use of a quasi-microscopic model. The influence of a linear term in the deformation tensor in the elastic energy density is analysed. It i s shown that when the elastic constant of the linear term is larger th an a critical value, the ground state of the film is periodically dist orted.