Abstract
Novel dynamic experiments have enabled the identification of a macroscopic solidlike response in the isotropic phase of a low molecular weight liquid crystal, 4,4'-n-octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB). This unknown property indicates that the low frequency shear elasticity identified in the isotropic phase of liquid crystal polymers is not reminiscent from the glass transition but reveals likely a generic property of the liquid state. The comparison to high molecular weight liquid crystals indicates, however, that the shear modulus is much enhanced when the liquid crystal moieties are attached to a polymer chain. The macroscopic length scales probed (0.050-0.100 mm) exclude wall-induced effects.
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