Physics and Astronomy Calendar

Soon after the smectic-C_alpha* phase was discovered in one antiferroelectric liquid crystal compound, the molecular arrangements within this phase were claimed to have a “devil’s staircase” structure. Our resonant x-ray diffraction (RXRD) studies yield a much simpler molecular arrangement, namely, an incommensurate nano-scale helical pitch (INHP). Different temperature dependent INHP’s have been acquired by our research team. This summer our RXRD run in the smectic-C_alpha* range of two liquid crystal mixtures yields a surprising discovery of a novel phase having a six-layer structure.