Eur. Phys. J. E (2005) 18: 253-258
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/e2005-00033-x

Regular Articles

A frustrated packing model for the B₆-B₁-SmAP_A sequence of phases in banana shaped molecules

Raman Research Institute, C.V. Raman Avenue, Sadashivanagar, Bangalore, 560 080, India

^* e-mail: aroy@rri.res.in

Received: 9 June 2005
Published online: 18 October 2005

Abstract

A vast majority of compounds with bent core or banana shaped molecules exhibit the phase sequence B₆-B₁-B₂ as the chain length is increased in a homologous series. The B₆ phase has an intercalated fluid lamellar structure with a layer spacing of half the molecular length. The B₁ phase has a two dimensionally periodic rectangular columnar structure. The B₂ phase has a monolayer fluid lamellar structure with molecules tilted with respect to the layer normal. Neglecting the tilt order of the molecules in the B₂ phase, we have developed a frustrated packing model to describe this phase sequence qualitatively. The model has some analogy with that of the frustrated smectics exhibited by highly polar rod like molecules.