title: Continuum theory of tilted chiral smectic phases.
abstract: We show that the sequence of distorted commensurate phases observed in tilted chiral smectics is explained by the gain in electrostatic and elastic energies due to the lock-in of the unit cell to a number of layers which is the integer closest to the ratio of the helix pitch over the smectic layer thickness of the subjacent Sm-Cα∗ phase. We also explain the sign change of the helicity in the middle of the sequence by a balance between two twist sources one intrinsic and another due to the distortion of the Sm-Cα∗.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Recherches Paul Pascal, 115, Av. Albert-Schweitzer, 33600 Pessac, France. marcerou@crpp-bordeaux.cnrs.fr
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Marcerou