Abstract
We have measured the temperature variation of film tension above the bulk smectic-A-isotropic transition in freestanding films of two liquid-crystal compounds. Above the transition, the tension increases sharply with temperature, and the slope is proportional to the film's thickness regardless of whether or not the compound exhibits regular layer-by-layer thinning. The data can be interpreted in the context of theoretical models for layer thinning.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 020701 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics |
Volume | 71 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2005 |