Layer distortions induced by a magnetic field in planar samples of smectic C liquid crystals

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Abstract

This article derives theoretical results for the onset of the Helfrich-Hurault transition in smectic C liquid crystals induced by a magnetic field applied parallel to the smectic layers. A suitable quadratic energy in terms of the smectic layer displacement u is derived from the nonlinear version of the smectic C energy. This energy is minimized via averaging to enable the calculation of a critical field strength Hc for the onset of layer distortions. Comparisons are made with known results for the corresponding geometry in the smectic A case. An estimate for the value of the smectic C elastic constant A12 can also be made by considering characteristic length scales.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)909-920
Number of pages11
JournalLiquid Crystals
Volume30
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2003

Keywords

  • Helfrich-Hurault transition
  • smectics
  • physics
  • liquid crystals

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