Temperature Dependence of the Layer Spacing in the Smectic Z<sub>A</sub> Phase of Ferroelectric Nematic Liquid Crystals

ORAL

Abstract

 

The antiferroelectric, smectic-ZA phase occurs as a function of temperature between non-polar and ferroelectric nematic (NF) phases in several ferroelectric nematic compounds and mixtures. It is characterized by a weak mass density wave (period dM) that accompanies an antiferroelectric polarization field, which alternates with period 2dM in the same direction as the density wave. Here we report on small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies, performed on a laboratory SAXS/WAXS system, that contrast the temperature dependence of dM in two ferroelectric nematic materials, FNLC919 and DIO. In FNLC919, we observe a pronounced pretransitional increase in dM on approach to the NF phase, whereas DIO exhibits a much weaker temperature dependence. We compare these results to predictions of certain theoretical models for the smectic-ZA phase and smectic-ZA to NF transition.

*This research was supported by the NSF under grant number DMR-2210083.

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Presenters

  • MANISHA BADU

    • Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
    • kent state university
    • Kent State University

Authors

  • MANISHA BADU

    • Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
    • kent state university
    • Kent State University

  • Arjun Ghimire

    • Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
    • Kent State University

  • James T Gleeson

    • Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, 44242, USA
    • kent state university
    • Kent State University

  • Antal Istvan Jakli

    • Kent State University

  • Robert Twieg

    • kent state university
    • Kent State University

  • Samuel Sprunt

    • Kent State University
    • kent state university