Abstract
When a smectic-$A$ phase is composed of chiral molecules, it exhibits an electroclinic effect, i.e., a direct coupling of molecular tilt to applied field. The pretransitional behavior of the electroclinic effect in the $A$ phase is used to study the critical behavior near the second-order, smectic-$A$---smectic-$C$ phase transition. This behavior is measured by monitoring the change in birefringence of a sample as the electroclinic effect causes a tilt of the molecules. A large pretransitional effect is measured, and constants describing the critical behavior are determined.
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
