Bent-Shaped Liquid Crystals : Structures and Physical Properties

Description

Bent-Shaped Liquid Crystals: Structures and Physical Properties provides insight into the latest developments in the research on liquid crystals formed by bent-shaped mesogens. After a historical introduction, the expert authors discuss different kinds of mesophase structures formed by bent-shaped molecules. This book devotes the majority of its pages to physical properties such as polar switching, optics and non-linear optics, and behavior in restricted geometries. However, as chemistry is often highly relevant to the emergence of new phases, particularly with reflection symmetry breaking, it also involves a broad spectrum of interesting chemistry viewpoints. Content: Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Preface Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Brief Introduction to the Liquid Crystal State 1.2 Historical Outline toward the Discovery of Polar Bent-Shaped Liquid CrystalS References Chapter 2: Theories of Bent-Shaped Liquid Crystals 2.1 Phenomenological Theory of the Nematic Order 2.2 Phenomenological Theories of Polar Smectic Phases 2.3 Order Parameter Condensation 2.4 Molecular Theories and Simulations References Chapter 3: Phase Structures 3.1 Peculiarities of SmA AND SmC Phases 3.1.1 Random Phases 3.1.2 Electrically Induced Tilt 3.2 Orthogonal Polar Smectic Phases 3.3 Tilted Smectic Phases 3.4 Frustrated Phases 3.4.1 Polarization-Modulated Phase 3.4.2 Helical Nanofilament Phase 3.4.3 Dark Conglomerate Phase 3.5 Columnar Phase 3.6 Bent Dimers 3.7 Phases Formed by Multiple Bent-Mesogenic Units: Dimer, Trimer, Oligomer, Polymer, and Dendrimer 3.7.1 Bend-Rod Dimer 3.7.2 Dendrimers 3.7.3 Polymers 3.8 Phases Formed by Unconventional Bent-core Molecular Structures 3.9 Field-Induced Phase Transition 3.10 Open Questions and Prospect References Chapter 4: Peculiarities of the N Phases 4.1 Flexoelectric Effect 4.2 Electroconvection Effect 4.3 Biaxial Nematic Phase