Magnetic-field induced isotropic to nematic liquid crystal phase transition

We report on measurements of magnetic field induced nematic order in the bent-core liquid crystal 4-chlororesorcinol bis[4- (4-n-dodecyloxybenzoyloxy) benzoate]. Using the 31 Tesla solenoid at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, we have observed, at temperatures less than one degree above the clearing point, a first-order transition to the nematic phase. The critical magnetic field at which this occurs increases with temperature. We discuss these results within the context of both Maier-Saupe and Landau-deGennes mean field models for the nematic-isotropic transition. The implications of possible tetrahedratic order are also discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of such a magnetic field-induced transition in a thermotropic liquid crystal; the reasons for which this behavior is now attainable are discussed. \\ \\ This work was supported by the NSF (DMR-0606160) and Kent State University. Work performed at NHMFL supported by NSF cooperative agreement DMR- 0084173, the State of Florida and the DOE.