Transformation of the structure of smectic liquid crystals associated with frustration and the surface of ultrathin films

Frustrations associated with competition between interlayer interactions in smectic liquid crystals and geometric frustrations are responsible for variety of interesting physical phenomena, formation of unusual structures, and transitions between them. Owing to the possibility of the preparation of ultrathin freely suspended smectic nanofilms and a single-layer change in their thickness (by one molecular layer), smectic films are unique objects for the study of ordered structures in a limited geometry. Effects associated with frustration and the nanothickness of smectic films have been discussed.