Smectic C^* Chevron Layer Structure Studied by X-Ray Diffraction

Abstract

Layer structures in chiral smectic C (S C *) phases were studied by high-resolution X-ray diffraction. The existence of a chevron layer structure was confirmed even in thick cells such as 350 µm and even in a compound with the phase sequence of N *-S C *. Cells made by a SiO oblique-evaporation technique gave two diffraction patterns; a single peak was observed when the evaporation directions of top and bottom glasses were set in opposite directions (antiparallel), while two peaks were observed in the case of the glasses set in the same direction (parallel). Thus, the chevron structure was confirmed to exist quite generally except for in the SiO antiparallel cells.

Study of smectic layer structure of polymer-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal with grayscale memory

“…This implies that the Sm layer structure is maintained even if the polymer is dispersed. Further, the two diffraction peaks indicate that the structure is a chevron structure with two inclination angles formed by the bending of the Sm layers [9].…”

“…Diffraction occurs at the Bragg angle (6 B ) corresponding to the spacing of the Sm layers. The diffraction intensity reaches its maximum when the incidence angle (,) coincides with the sum of the inclination angle (1) of the Sm layers and the Bragg angle 6 B [9]. Hence, by measuring , and 6 B , one can find 1.…”

Memory effect of ferroelectric liquid crystal stabilized by polymer fibers

“…Inferring from the bending of the SSFLC in the direction of thickness (chevron structure [9]), it appears that the following process accounts for the bending of the smectic layer in the horizontal plane: During the formation of the PSFLC device, the phase transition from the smectic A phase [ Fig. 4(a)] to the smectic C* phase causes an expansion in the smectic layer in the Y and Z directions due to a decrease in the spacing (in the X direction) between the layers due to a tilting of the FLC director, if we assume that the volume of the layer is constant [ Fig.…”

Dynamic analysis of chevron structures in liquid crystal cells

“…In surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal [SSFLC] cells smectic layers usually deform into a characteristic chevron pattern [1,2]. The chevron structure (see Fig.…”