The cone phase of liquid crystals: Triangular lattice of double-tilt cylinders

We predict the existence of a new defect-lattice phase near the nematic-smectic-C(NC) transition. This tilt-analogue of the blue phase is a lattice of double-tilt cylinders which are disclination lines in the smectic layer normal as well as the c-field. We discuss the structure and stability of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pramāṇa 2003-08, Vol.61 (2), p.277-283
Main Authors: Hatwalne, Yashodhan, Madhusudana, N. V.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Crystal lattices
Cylinders
Liquid crystals
Structural stability
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Summary:We predict the existence of a new defect-lattice phase near the nematic-smectic-C(NC) transition. This tilt-analogue of the blue phase is a lattice of double-tilt cylinders which are disclination lines in the smectic layer normal as well as the c-field. We discuss the structure and stability of the cone phase. We suggest that many ‘nematics’ exhibiting short range layering and tilt order may in fact be in the molten cone phase, which is a line liquid.
ISSN:0304-4289
0973-7111
DOI:10.1007/BF02708309