Self-organization of N(*) inclusions in SmC(*) free-standing films.
The behaviour of freely suspended smectic-C* ( SmC(*)) films at the bulk SmC(*)-cholesteric ( N(*)) phase transition has been investigated using polarized-reflected-light microscopy. Our experimental observations show that above the bulk SmC(*)- N(*) phase transition the N(*) order appears in different ways according to the film thickness. In thin films, the conventional layer-by-layer thinning occurs. In films of intermediate thickness N(*) inclusions nucleate inside the SmC(*) film. The distortions of the in-plane orientational order of the SmC(*) host phase induce elastic interactions between the inclusions and lead to their self-organization in chain-like structures. Both the dynamic of the chaining and the parameters driving the equilibrium distance between the inclusions in the chain are investigated. In thick films, N(*) fingers grow inside the film. The influence of the experimental conditions on the various processes is analysed.
Cluzeau
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Laboratoire de Dynamique et Structure des Matériaux Moléculaires, UMR CNRS 8024, Université de Lille I, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. Philippe.cluzeau@univ-lille1.fr
Bonnand
V
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Joly
G
G
Dolganov
V
V
Nguyen
H T
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