Surface Ordering Transitions at a Liquid Crystal--Solid Interface above the Isotropic Smectic-$A$ Transition

Surface Ordering Transitions at a Liquid Crystal–Solid Interface above the Isotropic Smectic- $A$ Transition

T. Jin, G. P. Crawford, R. J. Crawford, S. Zumer, and D. Finotello

Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 015504 – Published 10 January 2003

Abstract

The degree of orientational order induced by confining cylindrical surfaces is monitored via deuteron nuclear magnetic resonance linesplitting and linewidth above the smectic- $A$ to isotropic phase transition. The orientational order strongly depends on the length of the surfactant coupling molecule, on the surface coverage, and on the liquid crystal. Continuous and stepwise growth of orientational order and surface-induced orientational order transitions found in the isotropic phase are explained in terms of a simplified model of surface-induced layering and molecular self-diffusion.

Received 26 July 2002

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.015504

Authors & Affiliations

T. Jin¹, G. P. Crawford², R. J. Crawford³, S. Zumer⁴, and D. Finotello¹

¹Department of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242
²Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912
³Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747
⁴Department of Physics, University of Ljubljana, Jadranska 19, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

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Vol. 90, Iss. 1 — 10 January 2003

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