Size dependence of critical behavior at smectic-A to nematic transition in random network

Huairen Zeng; Gary Qian; Bostjan Zalar; Daniele Finotello

doi:10.1117/12.301266

1 January 1998 Size dependence of critical behavior at smectic-A to nematic transition in random network

Huairen Zeng, Gary Qian, Bostjan Zalar, Daniele Finotello

Proceedings Volume 3319, Liquid Crystals: Chemistry and Structure; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301266
Event: Liquid Crystals, 1997, Zakopane, Poland

Abstract

The smectic-A to nematic (AN) transition was studied under confinement as introduced by the randomly interconnected voids of Millipore filters. Using a high resolution calorimetry it was determined that heat capacity peaks evolve from sharp and prominent to broad and small with decreasing void size. The random confinement drives the heat capacity critical exponent from the bulk value towards zero, the 3D-XY model prediction, indicating a confinement-induced decoupling of smectic and nematic order parameters. Preliminary NMR results show that in the largest Millipore size studied, the behavior is similar to bulk's; in smaller voids, there are dramatic differences from bulk that emphasize the dominating role that the fibrous surfaces begin to play.

Citation Download Citation

Huairen Zeng, Gary Qian, Bostjan Zalar, and Daniele Finotello "Size dependence of critical behavior at smectic-A to nematic transition in random network", Proc. SPIE 3319, Liquid Crystals: Chemistry and Structure, (1 January 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.301266

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