Eur. Phys. J. E 9, 461-466 (2002)
DOI: 10.1140/epje/i2002-10104-3

Surface-induced smectic-ordering effect in thin nematic liquid-crystal cell

A.V. Zakharov and J. Thoen

Laboratorium voor Akoestiek en Thermische Fysica, Department Natuurkunde en Sterrenkunde, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

Alexandre.Zakharov@fys.kuleuven.ac.be
Jan.Thoen@fys.kuleuven.ac.be

(Received 24 September 2002 / Published online: 4 February 2003)

Abstract
The influence of the surface-induced smectic A (SmA) phase on the threshold field, for homeotropic alignment of polar liquid crystals is discussed from the energy point of view. It is shown that the Freedericksz critical field, for 4- n-octyl-4 -cyanobiphenyl (8CB), in a very thin cell near the second-order nematic-SmA phase transition, exibits an anomalous increase with decreasing of temperature.

PACS
61.30.Cz - Molecular and microscopic models and theories of liquid crystal structure.
62.40.+i - Anelasticity, internal friction, stress relaxation, and mechanical resonances.

© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2002