title: Structural transitions in thin free-standing films of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal exhibiting the smectic-C(*)(alpha) phase in the bulk sample.
abstract: Optical reflectivity studies have been conducted upon thin free-standing films of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal possessing the bulk phase sequence Sm C(*)(A)-Sm C(*)(alpha)-Sm A. Electrically induced field independent and field dependent structural transformations were observed above the bulk Sm C(*)(A)-Sm C(*)(alpha) transition temperature. The anisotropy of the reflectivity was measured for different states in thin films. Our data provide direct evidence of structures without the short-pitched helix in the temperature region between the antiferroelectric Sm C(*)(A) and untilted Sm A structures.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Solid State Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432, Chernogolovka, Moscow district, Russia.
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Dolganov
authors.forename: Yoshiichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Atsuo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fukuda