title: Undulation instabilities in the meniscus of smectic membranes.
abstract: Using optical microscopy, phase shifting interferometry, and atomic force microscopy, we characterize the undulated structures which appear in the meniscus of freestanding ferroelectric smectic-C* films. We demonstrate that these periodic structures correspond to undulations of the smectic-air interface. The resulting striped pattern disappears in the untilted smectic-A phase. The modulation amplitude and wavelength of the instability both depend on meniscus thickness. We study the temperature evolution and propose a model that qualitatively accounts for the observations.
authors.affiliation: Université Bordeaux 1, CNRS, Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, Avenue A. Schweitzer F-33600 Pessac, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Loudet
authors.forename: P V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Dolganov
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patrício
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Saadaoui
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cluzeau