Abstract
The free energy of smectic A liquid crystalline phase in perfectly aligned hard cylinders with length L and diameter D is calculated using the third virial approximation as a function of the order parameter. The second order phase transition from low density nematic phase to high density smectic A phase is found at a packing fraction η=0.355 (=η c ), where the layer spacing d is d c =1.35 L . Due to attractive interactions, the system can form the smectic phase at a temperature T c by a second order thermotropic transition even for cases η<η c . For such thermotropic smectic A phase, temperature dependences of the layer spacing: ( d / d c -1)/(1- T / T c )∼10 -1 and the layer compression modulus: B ∼15 ( k T /ν mol )(1- T / T c ) are predicted, where ν mol is the molecular volume.
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.
