Spontaneous Periodic Deformations in Nonchiral Planar-Aligned Bimesogens with a Nematic-Nematic Transition and a Negative Elastic Constant
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2010Citation:
V. P. Panov, M. Nagaraj, J. K. Vij, Yu. P. Panarin, A. Kohlmeier, M. G. Tamba, R. A. Lewis, and G. H. Mehl, Spontaneous Periodic Deformations in Nonchiral Planar-Aligned Bimesogens with a Nematic-Nematic Transition and a Negative Elastic Constant, Physical Review Letters, 105, 2010, 167801-Download Item:
Abstract:
Hydrocarbon linked mesogenic dimers are found to exhibit an additional nematic phase below the
conventional uniaxial nematic phase as confirmed by x-ray diffraction. The phase produces unusual
periodic stripe domains in planar cells. The stripes are found to be parallel to the rubbing direction (in
rubbed cells) with a well-defined period equal to double the cell gap. The stripes appear without external
electromagnetic field, temperature or thickness gradients, rubbing or hybrid alignment treatments. Simple
modeling proposes a negative sign for at least one of the two elastic constants: splay and twist, as a
necessary condition for the observed pattern.
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European Commission
216025
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http://people.tcd.ie/jvijhttp://people.tcd.ie/ypanarin
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Physical Review Letters105
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