Electron-diffraction studies of phase transitions in 40.8 free-standing thin films

C. Y. Chao, C. F. Chou, J. T. Ho, S. W. Hui, A. J. Jin, C. C. Huang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The structural phase transitions of free-standing thin films of N-(4-n-butyloxybenzylidene)-4-n-octylaniline (4O.8), which exhibits smectic-A and crystal-B phases in the bulk, have been studied in detail using electron diffraction. When a smectic-A film is cooled, the outermost layer transforms initially to the hexatic-B phase and subsequently to the crystal-B phase at a lower temperature. The first transition is consistent with the thermal anomaly in the heat capacity and the second transition coincides with the shear response observed in mechanical measurements. Upon further cooling, the film undergoes additional layer-by-layer smectic-A-hexatic-B-crystal-B transitions in its interior.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)123-128
Number of pages6
JournalMolecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals Science and Technology Section A: Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals
Volume301
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1997

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Electron-diffraction studies of phase transitions in 40.8 free-standing thin films'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this