title: A phenomenological theory of the isotropic to chiral smectic-C phase transition.
abstract: In this paper we discuss the direct isotropic to chiral smectic-C phase transition on the basis of a phenomenological theory. The model free energy is written in terms of the coupled order parameters including the spontaneous polarization. We present a detailed analysis of the different phases that can occur and analyze the question under which conditions a direct isotropic to chiral smectic-C phase transition is possible when compared to other phase transitions. On the basis of this model the isotropic-smectic-C* transition is always of first order. The theoretical predictions are compared with the available experimental results.
authors.affiliation: Haldia Govt. College, P.O.-Debhog, Dist.-East Midnapore, Pin-721657, India.
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Mukherjee
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pleiner
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Brand