About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Abstract
The free surface of chiral liquid crystals has been observed by optical and scanning force microscopy. In a narrow temperature region near the smectic A* to cholesteric (or isotropic) transition, a unique periodic surface undulation is observed. Both the period and depth are seen to be temperature dependent, though their ratio is approximately constant. This structure appears to be related to the chiral nature of the molecules and may be a result of competing alignment forces, analogous to that predicted by de Gennes and Bouligand. © 1992 IOP Publishing Ltd.