Nanostructure and dielectric properties of a twist-bend nematic liquid crystal mixture

We present freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM), dielectric spectroscopy and electro-optic measurements on a dimeric liquid crystal mixture, which previously was proposed to form the twist-bend nematic (N_tb) phase. Our FF-TEM studies provide a direct image of a 10.5 nm periodic structure, consistent with the expected nanoscale, heliconical twist-bend modulation of the molecular orientation. Dielectric measurements in the 100 Hz to 10 MHz range reveal three nearly Debye-type dispersion processes in the nematic and the twist-bend phase. Low frequency 8 V/µm electric fields applied on planar cells cause the optical-scale stripe texture (another characteristic feature of the N_tb phase) to disappear. Higher (>16 V/µm) fields gradually realign the heliconical axis along the electric field; it relaxes back after the field removal.     

One nanosecond photon correlation spectroscopy on smectic liquid crystal films

We have extended photon correlation spectroscopy down to a one-nanosecond time scale, and applied it to a study of layer undulations in freestanding smectic-A films of two cyanobiphenyl liquid crystals. Temporal correlations in the intensity of scattered light reveal an interesting combination of under- and overdamped modes. The underdamped mode is accurately described by a recently calculated correlation function of the smectic layer displacement, although its frequency and damping rate exhibit stronger dispersion at large optical wave vectors than expected from current dynamical models for smectic films.     

Polymer-stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal microgratings: a comparison of polymer network formation and electro-optic properties for mesogenic and non-mesogenic monomers

Polymer-stabilized liquid crystal microgratings are made using a focused Gaussian UV laser beam to photopolymerize 3 wt % reactive monomer in a cholesteric liquid crystal host. In a typical case, round gratings of 300 μm diameter and 10 μm pitch are produced. The microgratings highlight interesting differences between mesogenic and non-mesogenic monomers in the assembly and spatial distribution of polymer networks formed in a cholesteric host. We also observe a corresponding variation in the electro-optical properties of the stabilized gratings. In the mesogenic case, the grating state of the liquid crystal is faithfully captured even for relatively short UV exposures and over regions only a few pitch lengths in size. These findings are consistent with phase separation of the mesogenic monomer into regular domains templated by periodic, macroscopic variations in orientational order of the host. This templating effect is significantly reduced in the non-mesogenic case.     

Deviations from soft mode behaviour in the Raman spectrum of incommensurate BaMnF4

New measurements of the Raman spectrum of incommensurate BaMnF₄ reveal that there is not a classically ‘soft’ amplitude mode as has hitherto been assumed. This finding questions the validity of predictions based on straightforward Landau theory.     

The synthesis of [1,2,3]-triazole-based bent core liquid crystals via microwave-mediated ‘Click Reaction’ and their mesomorphic behaviour

A series of [1,2,3]-triazole-based liquid crystal compounds were synthesised via a fast and efficient microwave-mediated ‘Click Reaction’ and their phase behaviour is presented. Most of the 1,4-diaryl-[1,2,3]-triazole compounds exhibited a nematic phase with broad temperature ranges and relatively low transition temperatures compared to previously examined materials. Structural variations, involving regio-isomers and lateral halogenation, gave rise to different phase behaviour of the two families of triazole-based compounds.     

关于Hirota-Satsuma系统初值问题的局部和整体适定性

本文利用ＫＤＶ方程所对应的线性方程解所具有的光滑效应及压缩映像原理,得到了Ｈｉｒｏｔａ－Ｓａｔｓｕｍａ系统初值问题的局部和整体适定性结果．     

Overlapping B3Π0u ← X1Σ g/+ and 1Π1u ← X1Σ g/+ non-radiative characteristic of Br2 vapour in the wavelength region 505–541 nm

The vibronic vapour phase photoacoustic spectrum of Br₂ in the wavelength region 505–541 nm (19796–18480 cm⁻¹) has been recorded using microphone as well as pump-probe method. Discrete vibronic bands superimposed on a monotonically increasing continuum background towards the dissociation limit results from the overlapping B ³Π _0u ^/+ ← X ¹Σ _g ^/+ and ¹Π_1u ← X ¹Σ _g ^/+ electronic transitions. Vibronic bands originating from υ″=0 have been used to estimate the relative rate of non-radiative relaxation as a function of the excited state B ³Π_0u vibrational quantum number υ′. A comparison with the optical absorption spectroscopy of Br₂ leads to the identification of three broad spectral regions between 505 and 541 nm (19796 and 18480 cm⁻¹) on the basis of different non-radiative relaxation processes.