title: Reflection symmetry breaking in achiral rod-shaped smectic liquid crystals?
abstract: The SmC phase of 4'-octyloxyphenyl-4-octyloxybenzoate has been examined in light of recent reports that this phase is chiral. The results suggest that two varieties of chiral domains in LC cells of the phenylbenzoate are indeed formed, driven by interactions with surfaces. Application of sensitive probes for chirality and polarity in the absence of such interfacial influences failed to find any. Currently, there is no evidence that the subject SmC phase is chiral.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 215 UCB, Liquid Crystal Materials Research Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA. walba@colorado.edu
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Walba
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korblova
authors.forename: Cheng-Cher
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Renfan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Michi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakata
authors.forename: Noel A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D003460:Crystallization; D013237:Stereoisomerism