New features of a smectic-A-crystal-B phase transition in a homologous series of liquid crystals

The components L _j of the Lorentz tensor and the polarizability density of molecules G in the smectic-A and crystalline-B phases have been determined for homologues of the series of alkyl-p-(4-alkoxybenzylideneamino-)cinnamates. The quantity L _j (G) in both phases is a linear (quadratic) function of the orientational order parameter of molecules S, which is invariant (noninvariant) with respect to the A-B transition, which is manifested in the form of jumps δL _j and δG and enhancement of the G(S) dependence. An increase in the length of terminal molecular chains and weakening of interlayer correlation of molecules are accompanied by strengthening of the A-B transition of the first order and G(S) dependences in both phases together with an increase in δL _j and δG. Change δG and dependence G(S) in the B phase are related to change in the conformation (flattening) of aromatic molecular cores.