title: Surface-induced smectic-ordering effect in thin nematic liquid-crystal cell.
abstract: The influence of the surface-induced smectic A (SmA) phase on the threshold field, for homeotropic alignment of polar liquid crystals is discussed from the energy point of view. It is shown that the Freedericksz critical field, for 4-n-octyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl (8CB), in a very thin cell near the second-order nematic-SmA phase transition, exhibits an anomalous increase with decreasing of temperature.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorium voor Akoestiek en Thermische Fysica, Department Natuurkunde en Sterrenkunde, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. Alexandre.Zakharov@fys.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Zakharov
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thoen