Spontaneous Periodic Deformations in Nonchiral Planar-Aligned Bimesogens with a Nematic-Nematic Transition and a Negative Elastic Constant

Authors

V. P. Panov, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
J. K. Vij, Trinity College Dublin, IrelandFollow
Yuri Panarin, Technological University DublinFollow
A. Kohlmeier, University of Hull
M. G. Tamba, University of Hull
R. A. Lewis, University of Hull
G. H. Mehl, University of Hull

Document Type

Article

Rights

Available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International Licence

Publication Details

Physical Review Letters

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.

DOI

10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.167801

Recommended Citation

Kohlmeier, A. et al. (2010). Spontaneous periodic deformations in nonchiral planar-aligned bimesogens with a nematic-nematic transition and a negative elastic constant. Physical Review Letters , vol. 105, pp. 1-4. DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.167801