ABSTRACT
Chiral liquid crystals often exhibit periodic modulations in the molecular director; in particular, thin films of the smectic-C* phase show a chiral striped texture. Here, we investigate whether similar chiral modulations can occur in the induced molecular tilt of the smectic-A phase under an applied electric field. Using both continuum elastic theory and lattice simulations, we find that the state of uniform induced tilt can become unstable when the system approaches the smectic-A-smectic-C* transition or when a high electric field is applied. Beyond that instability point, the system develops chiral stripes in the tilt, which induce corresponding ripples in the smectic layers. The modulation persists up to an upper critical electric field and then disappears. Furthermore, even in the uniform state, the system shows chiral fluctuations, including both incipient chiral stripes and localized chiral vortices. We compare these predictions with observed chiral modulations and fluctuations in smectic-A liquid crystals.
ABSTRACT
Cooperative phenomena, described by one-dimensional statistical physical methods, are observed between the enantiomeric characteristics of monomeric materials and the polymers they produce. The effect of minute energies associated with this amplified chirality, although currently not interpretable, can be easily measured. Nonlinear relationships between enantiomeric excess or enantiomeric content and polymer properties may offer the possibility of developing chiral catalysts and chiral chromatographic materials in which the burden of large enantiomeric excess or content may be considerably alleviated. New approaches to information and sensor technology may become possible.
