title: Biaxial modeling of the structure of the chevron interface in smectic liquid crystals.
abstract: We have included the inherent molecular biaxiality of the smectic C phase in a model of the chevron structure. This molecular biaxiality is related to a hindered rotation about the molecular long axis which for chiral, polar molecules induces a spontaneous polarization. Through the coupling between biaxiality and the smectic cone angle, continuity of the molecular distribution at the chevron interface leads to changes in the cone angle. Under certain approximations we are able to find analytic expressions for the chevron structure and consequently estimate the width of the chevron interface. There are in fact two correlation lengths which govern variations in the cone angle and the biaxiality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PJ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Mottram
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ul-Islam
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Elston