Smectic C to smectic A transition induced mechanically by the rupture of freely suspended liquid crystal films. Issue 17 (11th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trittel, Torsten; Harth, Kirsten; Stannarius, Ralf
• Is Part Of: Soft matter. Volume 13:Issue 17(2017)
• Page Start: 3199
• Page End: 3204
• Publication Date: 2017-04-11
• Subjects: Soft condensed matter -- Periodicals; 530.413
• DOI: 10.1039/c7sm00219j
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-683X

Abstract

Abstract : The tilt angle of smectic C phases can be controlled by external forces of very different nature. We demonstrate that the molecular tilt can be completely eliminated by mechanical forces that act during film rupture. Abstract : The tilt angle of smectic C phases can be controlled by external forces of very different nature. In particular near a smectic A–smectic C transition, it is susceptible to temperature changes. It can be influenced with electric fields (electroclinic effect), and even mechanically by intra-layer stresses in elastomers. We show that capillary forces that act during the rupture of a free-standing smectic C film can trigger a smectic C to smectic A transition, which rapidly reduces the surface area of the films, concurrently increasing the film thickness. The effect occurs on the sub-millisecond scale, practically independent of film thickness and temperature. We propose that this mechanical effect could even trigger a ferroelectric to paraelectric transition in chiral phases.