Shearing of planar smectic C chevrons |
| |
Authors: | NJ Mottram SJ Elston |
| |
Institution: | (1) Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK, GB |
| |
Abstract: | We have theoretically investigated chevron formation in smectic C materials and the transformation of this chevron structure to a tilted layer structure as the cell is sheared. We find a
series of transition temperatures at which the behaviour of the cell critically changes. As the cell is cooled from the smectic
A phase past the first critical temperature there is a second order transition which forms two tilted layer states with lower energy than the smectic A bookshelf structure. Although these low energy tilted structures exist the bookshelf structure is the stable state for zero
shear. However, upon further cooling this bookshelf structure becomes unstable to the formation of a chevron state. Now when
the cell is sheared the chevron structure smoothly transforms into the tilted layer structure. As each further critical temperature
is passed an additional multiple chevron solution is formed which although a high energy, unstable state may be observed transiently. For sufficiently low
temperatures the transition from chevron to tilted layer becomes first order. This first order transition occurs as the chevron
interface merges with the surface alignment region to form the tilted layer structure.
Received 28 December 1998 and Received in final form 8 April 1999 |
| |
Keywords: | PACS 61 30 Cz Theory and models of liquid crystal structure |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|