The Surface Electroclinic Effect near the First Order Smectic-A*--Smectic-C* transition

Details The Surface Electroclinic Effect near the First Order Smectic-A*--Smectic-C* transition The Surface Electroclinic Effect near the First Order Smectic-A*--Smectic-C* transition

2011-10-19

arxiv.org/abs/1110.4409v1

Phys. Rev. E 83, 051711 (2011)

Physics

Condensed Matter

Soft Condensed Matter

Scientific paper

We analyze the surface electroclinic effect (SECE) in a material that exhibits a first order bulk smectic-$A^*$ (Sm-$A^*$) -- smectic-$C^*$ (Sm-$C^*$) transition. The effect of a continuously varying degree of enantiomeric excess on the SECE is also investigated. We show that due to the first order nature of the bulk Sm-$A^*$ -- Sm-$C^*$ transition, the SECE can be unusually strong and that as enantiomeric excess is varied, a jump in surface induced tilt is expected. A theoretical state map, in enantiomeric excess - temperature space, features a critical point which terminates a line of first order discontinuities in the surface induced tilt. This critical point is analogous to that found for the phase diagram (in electric field - temperature space) for the bulk electroclinic effect. Analysis of the decay of the surface induced tilt, as one moves from surface into bulk shows that for sufficiently high surface tilt the decay will exhibit a well defined spatial kink within which it becomes especially rapid. We also propose that the SECE is additionally enhanced by the de Vries nature (i.e. small layer shrinkage at the bulk Sm-A* -- Sm-C* transition) of the material. As such the SECE provides a new means to characterize the de Vries nature of a material. We discuss the implications for using these materials in device applications and propose ways to investigate the predicted features experimentally.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Surface Electroclinic Effect near the First Order Smectic-A*--Smectic-C* transition does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Surface Electroclinic Effect near the First Order Smectic-A*--Smectic-C* transition, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Surface Electroclinic Effect near the First Order Smectic-A*--Smectic-C* transition will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-550675