Combination of separate smectic-C-alpha phases in binary mixtures

ORAL

Abstract

Applying resonant x-ray diffraction, we showed that the two previously considered separate smectic-$C^*_{\alpha}$ phases were combined into a single phase in a series of binary mixtures. The pitch evolved continuously and smoothly, contradicting a previously successful theoretical model. New phase sequences found in our studies can be explained by a newer model. The comparison indicates long-range interactions exist in the smectics.

*Work at the National Synchrotron Light Source was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy. The research was supported in part by the National Science Foundation, Solid State Chemistry Program under Grant No. DMR-0106122.

Authors

  • Zengqiang Liu

    • University of Minnesota
  • Bradley McCoy

    • University of Minnesota
  • Suntao Wang

    • Brookhaven National Laboratory
  • Ron Pindak

    • Brookhaven National Laboratory
  • Wolfgang Caliebe

    • German Electron Synchrotron
  • Philippe Barois

    • Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS, Universit\'e Bordeaux France
  • Paulo Fernanders

    • Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS, Universit\'e Bordeaux France
  • H.T. Nguyen

    • Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal, CNRS, Universit\'e Bordeaux France
  • C.S. Hsu

    • National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan
  • C.C. Huang

    • University of Minnesota