Regensburg 2016 – scientific programme

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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik

CPP 63: Interfaces and Thin Films II (joint session CPP/DY, organized by CPP)

CPP 63.6: Talk

Friday, March 11, 2016, 11:00–11:15, H51

Modulated structures in complex twist-bend nematic phases in bulk and thin-film geometry. — •Nerea Sebastian, Alexey Eremin, and Ralf Stannarius — Institute of Experimental Physics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39016 Magdeburg, Germany

Twist-bend nematic state (Ntb) has recently been discovered as a complex mesophase intermediate between the cholesteric and a uniform nematic phase. The molecules, being non-chiral, spontaneously form a helical twist-bend structure, where the director is inclined to the helical axis. The phase is believed to be driven by the inversion of the bend elastic constant K3. We report on an elastic behaviour in the vicinity of the nematic-Ntb transition and describe the transition between the Ntb and a modulated smectic phase which exhibits intricate labyrinthine structures of the layer dislocations in freely-suspended films. It also forms fluid cylindrical filaments with large slenderness ratios.

The authors acknowledge the support by DFG (ER 467/8-1)