PA23 Director Distribution of Smectic-C Domains in an Isotropic Phase.

Abstract

An equilibrium shape of smectic-C domains in an isotropic phase has been observed in the binary mixture of PYP-709 and dodecyl alcohol using a polarizing microscope. Smectic-C domains form a spherical shape in the isotropic phase because of the minimization of the smectic-C/isotropic interface energy. The polarizing-microscope images of the smectic-C spherical domain have been simulated to determine the three-dimensional director distributions in smectic-C spherical domains. It is found that the director tilt angle continuously decreases from the center of the smectic-C domain to the interface.