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Bend-induced melting of the smectic-A phase: analogy to a type-I superconductor.

Authors :
Wang R
Syed IM
Carbone G
Petschek RG
Rosenblatt C
Source :
Physical review letters [Phys Rev Lett] 2006 Oct 20; Vol. 97 (16), pp. 167802. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Oct 17.
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

Using an atomic force microscope to nanopattern a substrate for liquid crystal alignment, a bend distortion is imposed on a liquid crystal. In regions of large bend the smectic-A phase melts into the nematic phase, and the width of the melted region is measured as a function of temperature. The results are consistent with type-I superconducting (nematic-smectic-A) behavior, wherein a large magnetic field (bend or twist distortion) induces an order to disorder transition. A model that accounts for non-mean-field behavior is presented.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0031-9007
Volume :
97
Issue :
16
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Physical review letters
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17155435
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.167802