Flow properties of the optically isotropic tetrahedratic phase

Abstract

We discuss the coupling between flow and other hydrodynamic variables that can occur in the optically isotropic tetrahedratic phase (Td) characterized by a third rank tensor order parameter Tijk. We point out that an applied electric field or an applied temperature gradient will lead to flow. Reciprocally we predict that, for example, a shear flow applied to a tetrahedratic phase leads to an induced electric field and a temperature gradient. Similarities to recent experimental observations in the vicinity of the isotropic-B7 phase transitions in materials formed by banana-shaped molecules are discussed.