Recommended Citation
Published in Physical Review Letters, Volume 98, Issue 19, May 8, 2007, pages 197801.1-197801.4.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.197801.
Abstract
We show that Landau theory for the isotropic (I), nematic (N), smectic-A, and smectic-C phases generically, but not ubiquitously, implies "de Vries" behavior: i.e., a continuous A-C transition can occur with little layer contraction while the birefringence increases significantly once the system moves into the C phase. Our theory shows that 1st order A-C transitions are also possible. These transitions can be de Vries-like, but in general need not be. Generally, de Vries behavior occurs in models with unusually small orientational order and is preceded by a first order I-A transition. These results correspond well with experimental work to date.
Disciplines
Physics
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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/phy_fac/84