Observation of unusual surface ordering in a uniaxial Sm-A phase formed by a highly biaxial compound

We have studied one banana-shaped compound using null-transmission ellipsometry. By studying free-standing films of various thicknesses we confirm that this compound exhibits the Sm-A phase. This is the first banana-shaped compound with a relatively small bend angle (approximately 140 degrees) in wh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2002-02, Vol.88 (8), p.085504-085504, Article 085504
Main Authors: Olson, D A, Han, X F, Cady, A, Weissflog, W, Huang, C C
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We have studied one banana-shaped compound using null-transmission ellipsometry. By studying free-standing films of various thicknesses we confirm that this compound exhibits the Sm-A phase. This is the first banana-shaped compound with a relatively small bend angle (approximately 140 degrees) in which a uniaxial phase has been observed. At the lower temperature end of the Sm-A phase we observe unusual ordering at the surface of the film.
ISSN:0031-9007
1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.085504