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Biaxial nematic order induced by smectic fluctuations

C. Zhang1, S. Chakraborty2, T. Ostapenko2, S. Sprunt2, A. Jákli1, and J. T. Gleeson2

  • 1Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA
  • 2Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA

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Phys. Rev. E 86, 020704(R) – Published 27 August, 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.86.020704

Abstract

We report on a series of measurements on the microscopic structure and the magneto-optical properties of a calamitic liquid crystalline compound in its nematic phase. Structural studies show the existence of short-range, tilted smectic order consistent with pretransitional effects above an underlying smectic phase. Concomitantly, magneto-optical results exhibit the existence of an optic axis not collinear with the uniaxial director. This apparent biaxial nature is discussed within the context of coupling between the tensor nematic and the smectic order parameters.

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Information

Phys. Rev. E 86, 020704(R)– Published 27 August, 2012
  • Received 9 April 2012
Article part of CHORUS

©2012 American Physical Society

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