Abstract
Anticlinic smectic-C surfaces were found experimentally as ground state structures in free-standing films made of smectic liquid crystals with no anticlinic bulk phases. A mean-field interpretation of this observation is given within a discrete phenomenological model of antiferroelectric liquid crystals, which additionally considers the enhanced order present at the surfaces of the free-standing films. The temperature dependence of the critical electric field that drives the transition between the anticlinic and synclinic smectic-C surfaces is evaluated, and fair agreement with the experimental data is found.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
