SELF-SUPPORTING BUBBLES OF THERMOTROPIC SMECTIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS

We demonstrate that thin films of thermotropic smectic liquid crystals can be inflated by external pressure to form bubbles similar to lyotr opic soap bubbles. These bubbles can be generated with film thickness of a few molecular layers and radii of several centimeters; they are p erfectly suited for studies of static and dynamic properties of the sm ectic material. We report the measurement of surface tension, describe the dynamics of holes and islands on the bubble surface, and discuss influences of external electric fields in non-ferroelectric and ferroe lectric smectic bubbles.