The pre-transitional effect in antiferroelectric liquid crystals: a comparison between theory and experiment

Citation
Nj. Mottram et al., The pre-transitional effect in antiferroelectric liquid crystals: a comparison between theory and experiment, MOL CRYST A, 328, 1999, pp. 65-73
Citations number
8
Categorie Soggetti
Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Journal title
MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND LIQUID CRYSTALS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SECTION A-MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND LIQUID CRYSTALS
ISSN journal
1058725X → ACNP
Volume
328
Year of publication
1999
Pages
65 - 73
Database
ISI
SICI code
1058-725X(1999)328:<65:TPEIAL>2.0.ZU;2-X
Abstract
We have investigated, experimentally and theoretically, the low field (pre- transitional) behaviour of an AFLC material. By measuring the light transmi ssion through a device between crossed polarizers, as a function of both or ientation and applied voltage, we determine the variation of both the effec tive optic axis tilt angle phi and the optical anisotropy Delta n as a func tion of voltage. In order to model this behaviour we use an order parameter theory based on changes to the distribution of molecules within the AFLC l ayers rather than the soft mode description. With this model we have been a ble to describe the observed tilt and anisotropy behaviour.