Abstract
We report the first unambiguous identification in a thermotropic liquid crystal of a hexatic smectic-L, a phase with molecular tilt direction intermediate between those of the smectic-I and smectic-F, using electron diffraction in free-standing films of 5-(4″-hexyl, 3′-fluoro-p-terphenyl-4-oxy)-pentanoic acid ethyl ester. Our structural data directly support the proposed explanation of the unusual stripe phase observed optically. The films show a rich phase diagram as a function of thickness and temperature. A novel phase transition within the surface smectic-L phase is also observed.
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