Observation of a possible tetrahedratic phase in a bent-core liquid crystal.
An experimental study of the heat capacity, mass density, magnetic-field-induced optical birefringence, linewidth and intensity of scattered light, and the viscosities associated with nematic order parameter fluctuations and fluid flow has been performed on an achiral bent-core liquid crystal above its clearing point temperature. The measurements reveal a transition between two optically isotropic phases that is consistent with recent theoretical predictions of a "tetrahedratic" form of orientational order.
Wiant
D
D
Department of Physics Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA.
Neupane
K
K
Sharma
S
S
Gleeson
J T
JT
Sprunt
S
S
Jákli
A
A
Pradhan
N
N
Iannacchione
G
G