Abstract
The temperature dependence of the spontaneous polarization across the phase transition from the fluid smectic C* to the hexatic smectic I* phase of a chiral liquid crystal was investigated with respect to confinement effects, due to closely spaced substrates. A strong thickness dependence of the polarization was observed in both the SmC* and SmI* phases, which cannot be interpreted either by polarization screening due to ionic impurities, or by the polarization self-screening model. A possible explanation is given in terms of non-switching interface regions close to the substrates, caused by strong anchoring conditions. It is demonstrated that the occurrence of bond-orientational order does not affect the anchoring behaviour of the liquid crystal. Confinement effects were observed for decreasing cell gap below 4 μm, while the first order character of the SmC*-SmI* phase transition is retained.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 13441-13448 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 49 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 16 Dec 2002 |