Wedge-screw dispiration in smectic liquid crystals with antiferroelectric order

Using the approximative expression for the elastic energy density of the antiferroelectric (AF) liquid crystal the elastic self-energy of (, b)-wedge-screw dispiration is estimated. Then the elastic interaction between (, b)-wedge-screw dispiration and (2)-wedge dischnation in AF liquid crystals is investigated. The attraction of dislocation part of dispiration with (2)-wedge disclination can lead to the formation of (3)-wedge-screw dispiration. When (2)-wedge disclination is trapped by (2d)-screw dislocation the resulting (2, 2d)-dispiration can dissociate into a pair of two (, d)-dispirations.The authors express their thanks to Professors A. Fukuda, H. Takezoe, Dr. Y. Takanishi and to Dr. K. Miyachi for discussions concerning their experimental observations of (3, d)-wedge-screw dispirations and (, d)-twist-edge dispirations in AF structures. This work was supported by the grant No. 19062 from Acad. Sci. Cz. R. and also benefited by the grant No.: 202/93/155 from the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic.