Observation of a possible tetrahedratic phase in bent-core
ORAL
Abstract
Combined measurements of optical birefringence induced by high magnetic fields and dynamic light scattering have been performed on bent-core liquid crystals at temperatures above their clearing points. The results of these measurements provide compelling evidence of a phase transition between two optically isotropic phases that is consistent with the development of a novel ``tetrahedratic" form of orientational order.
*NSF grants DMR-0606160, DMS-0456221,DMR-9988614, DMR-0084173
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