title: Kinetics of layer-thinning transitions in overheated smectic films.
abstract: The kinetic behavior of dislocation loops in overheated free-standing smectic-A films is reported. The loops open at velocities that are much faster than those seen in nonoverheated films. The velocities increase dramatically as a function of temperature and vary slightly as a function of film thickness. The behavior of dislocation loops induced with a pulsed resistive wire heater is identical to that of the loops giving rise to the layer-thinning transition. In addition, the interaction between two simultaneously nucleated dislocation loops is analyzed. The observed interactions give evidence that thinning occurs in the interior of the film. The results support a model for the layer-by-layer thinning transition based on the nucleation of dislocation loops.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pankratz
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paulson
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang