Macroscopic dynamics near the isotropic-smectic-A phase transition - art. no. 061708

The hydrodynamic theory for the smectic-A phase and the isotropic phase is generalized to the macroscopic dynamics in the vicinity of the isotropic-sm ectic-A phase transition. The macroscopic dynamic equations are presented o n the isotropic side as well as on the smectic-ii side of the phase transit ion, incorporating the effect of an external electric field. Specific exper iments to test some of the effects contained in the macroscopic dynamic equ ations are suggested.