Molecular ordering in a biaxial smectic-A phase studied by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM).
Results of STXM investigations of a binary mixture (-TNF = 2 : 1; SmA(b) 140 M 180 Iso) known to form a SmA(b) phase [T. Hegmann, J. Kain, S. Diele, G. Pelzl and C. Tschierske, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2001, 40, 887] are presented. Near edge X-ray absorption fine spectra (NEXAFS) of the -TNF board-like aggregates, in particular the intensity of the low energy peaks associated with aromatic ring pi* orbitals (284.5-286.5 eV), show that the molecular plane of these aggregates is very sensitive to the relative orientation of electric field vector E of linearly polarized light, which is used to determine the molecular orientation in the LC phase. The observed strong in-plane dichroic signal suggests the predominant orientation of the -TNF aggregates to be along the smectic layer normal as well as long-range ordering of the in-plane molecular orientation (biaxiality). Orientational maps derived from series of measurements at different sample rotation angles around the specimen normal clearly show a Schlieren-type texture, and permit a detailed examination of exclusive +/-(1/2) disclination theoretically predicted for the SmA(b) phase.
Kaznacheev
Konstantin
K
Department of Physics & Engineering Physics and Canadian Light Source Inc., University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon (SK), CanadaS7N 0X4. Konstantine.Kaznatcheev@lightsource.ca
Hegmann
Torsten
T
D005449:Fluorenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry*; D017348:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission / Q000379:methods*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D010165:Palladium / Q000737:chemistry*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014965:X-Rays
D005449:Fluorenes; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010165:Palladium; C005644:2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone