Stability of the formation of the chevron structure

A simple model of the formation of the chevron structure and tilted layer s tructure in the smectic C liquid crystal phase from the bookshelf structure in the smectic A phase is considered. Energetic considerations of this sys tem indicate that in the absence of layer pinning forces at the surface, a transition to the tilted structure is expected. However, combining the mode l with 'weak' surface positional anchoring effects allows the chevron struc ture to form.