Successive Phase Transitions in Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal Systems—Axial Next-Nearest-Neighbor XY Model with Biquadratic Interaction

We revisit a theoretical approach based on the discrete Landau model of polar smectic liquid crystals. Treating equilibrium structures on many length scales, we have analyzed different periodically modulated polar smectic phases. Besides already known smectic structures, we have obtained a number of other phases which are stable in a narrow range (that is why the phases can be termed as microphases) of model parameters and thermodynamic conditions. The sequence of microphases represents a so-called "harmless staircase" of structures with oscillating periods. We anticipate that the range of stabilities for various microphases can be extended (and therefore the microphases can be easier to detect experimentally) by applying external electric fields or/and investigating freestanding smectic films.

show abstract

Manifold of polar smectic liquid crystals with spatial modulation of the order parameter

Долганов

Zhilin

Долганов

et al. 2011

Phys. Rev. E

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Field-induced transitions between multilayer phases of polar smectic liquid crystals

et al. 2012

Phys. Rev. E

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Recently Wang et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 027801 (2010)] reported the discovery of a novel multilayer phase in polar liquid crystals. The phase was unambiguously assigned to a six-layer antiferroelectric structure (Sm-C(d6)(*)) by resonant x-ray diffraction. This discovery lead to essential progress in understanding the nature of polar phases. However, more recently, Chandani et al. [Liq. Cryst. 38, 663 (2011)] in the same material clearly identified the novel phase as a ferrielectric five-layer structure (Sm-C(d5)(*)) by the electric-field-induced birefringence. This contradiction seemed to be a mystery. In this paper we show that the two experiments are in agreement. Phenomenological Landau theory of the phase transitions shows that both phases (Sm-C(d6)(*) and Sm-C(d5)(*)) exist and transform into each other in a relatively low electric field.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

hi@scite.ai

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Successive Phase Transitions in Antiferroelectric Liquid Crystal Systems—Axial Next-Nearest-Neighbor XY Model with Biquadratic Interaction

Cited by 2 publications

References 19 publications

Manifold of polar smectic liquid crystals with spatial modulation of the order parameter

Manifold of polar smectic liquid crystals with spatial modulation of the order parameter

Field-induced transitions between multilayer phases of polar smectic liquid crystals

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About