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VOLUME 72 (2000) | ISSUE 2 | PAGE 81
Short-pitch and long-pitch modes as a key for the understanding of phase sequences and types of ordering in antiferroelectric smectic liquid crystals
PACS: 61.30.Cz, 64.70.Md, 77.80.-e, 77.84.Nh
A novel theoretical approach is suggested for the description of phase transitions and structures observed in antiferroelectric smectic liquid crystals. The allowance is made for the two types of ordering to be possible: short-pitch and long-pitch helical modes. The thermodynamic behavior of the material is treated as a result of the competition between these two modes. Formulated theory reproduces the main features of the experimentally observed phase sequences and structures thus explaining their physical nature.