The transition temperatures from smectic C* to isotropic phase of a liquid crystal have been recorded as a function of an applied electric field. In addition to recent investigations on the phase transitions from smectic C* to smectic A in an electric field, we have found, in our case, a decrease of the transition temperature with the electric field. An explanation has been suggested to this behavior and a formula has been obtained which fits well the experimental points.
The thermotropic mesomorphism of different fatty acids is illustrated by the thermodielectric effect and by micro structural observations. The fatty acids which are studied (arachidic, lauric and elaidic acids) have an initial space charge. The thermodielectric effect is due to charge separation and consists in the appearance of noticeable variations of electric current intensity as a function of the temperature at phase transitions.
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