Eur. Phys. J. E 3, 7-10 (2000)
DOI: 10.1007/s101890070035

Optical reflectivity study of synclinic and anticlinic structures in thin freely suspended smectic films

P.V. Dolganov¹, J.W. Goodby² and A. Seed<sup>2

1</sup>  Institute of Solid State Physics, Moscow Region, 142432, Chernogolovka, Russia
²  School of Chemistry, The University, Hull HU6 7RX, England

pauldol@issp.ac.ru

(Received 29 October 1999 and Received in final form 17 February 2000)

Abstract
Optical reflectivity studies have been conducted on freely suspended films with synclinic and anticlinic structures. For the first time quantitative data were obtained on orientational ordering in films with anticlinic structure. In the same wide temperature range of more than 30 K we observed both transverse and longitudinal ferroelectricity in the films of the same thickness. Equilibrium transition temperatures between structures with transverse and longitudinal polarization were above the bulk transition temperature to the SmC phase. The molecule tilt was determined in superthin films with synclinic and anticlinic ordering.

PACS
61.30.Gd - Orientational order of liquid crystals; electric and magnetic field effects on order.
64.70.Md - Transitions in liquid crystals.

© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2000