Atomic Force Microscopy of freely suspended liquid crystal films transferred to octadecyltriethoxysilane self-assembled monolayers

Thin freely suspended films of 4-(2-methylbutyl)phenyl 4'-octylbiphenyl-4-c arboxylate (8SI) in the smectic C phase were transferred to self-assembled monolayer coated glass and imaged by atomic force microscopy. Upon rapid co oling to room temperature, the smectic C quenches into a lamellar phase, ex hibiting islands and single smectic layer steps. The surface of such films can be imaged with molecular resolution, revealing a partially disordered l attice of fixed molecular positions. Over a period of several days these fi lms undergo a transition to a crystal phase having a different film morphol ogy.