The Physics of Liquid CrystalsThe first edition of this book has been an acknowledged classic since its publication in 1974. Its success and the great advances that have taken place in the ensuing years have made this new edition both welcome and necessary. New chapters describe the main types and properties of liquid crystals in terms of the new phases discovered since the middle of the 1970s, and advances in the understanding of local order and the nature of isotropic to nematic transition. There is an extensive discussion of the symmetry, and macroscopic and dynamic properties of smectics and columnar phases, and their defects, illustrated with numerous descriptions of experimental arrangements. The final chapter is devoted to phase transitions in smectics, including the celebrated analogy between Smectic A and superconductors. Throughout the book there is an emphasis on order-of-magnitude considerations. Its topicality and breadth of coverage will ensure that The Physics of Liquid Crystals remains an indispensable guide for students and researchers alike. |
Contents
MAIN TYPES | 1 |
LONG AND SHORTRANGE ORDER | 41 |
STATIC DISTORTIONS IN A NEMATIC | 98 |
DEFECTS AND TEXTURES IN NEMATICS | 163 |
DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF NEMATICS | 198 |
CHOLESTERICS | 263 |
MACROSCOPIC BEHAVIOUR OF SMECTICS | 337 |
DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF SMECTICS | 408 |
DEFECTS IN SMECTICS AND COLUMNAR | 466 |
PHASE TRANSITIONS IN SMECTICS | 507 |
Author index | 587 |
| 595 | |
Common terms and phrases
alignment angle anisotropy behaviour biaxial boundary conditions Chapter chiral cholesteric coefficients columnar phases components corresponds cos˛ Cryst defined density dependence described dielectric direction director disclination discussed dislocation displacement distortion domain effects elastic constants electric field Equation equilibrium experimental experiments ferroelectric field H flexoelectric flow fluctuations free energy frequency function geometry gradient Helfrich helical axis hydrodynamic interface isotropic isotropic phase K₁ Kleman layers length Lett linear liquid crystals macroscopic magnetic field MBBA measurements molecular molecules nematic nematic phase normal Note observed obtained optical axis order parameter orientation parallel Paris Phys planar plane polarization rotation sample scattering Section shear slab smectic solution splay structure surface symmetry temperature tensor texture thickness tilt torque transition twist typical uniaxial values vector velocity viscosity wall wave wavevector σαβ ди ду дх
