Bent core molecules and the biaxial nematic phase: A transverse dipole widens the optimal angle

TY - JOUR

T1 - Bent core molecules and the biaxial nematic phase: A transverse dipole widens the optimal angle

AU - Bates, Martin A.

PY - 2007/4/2

Y1 - 2007/4/2

N2 - Recent claims that bent core molecules can exhibit the elusive biaxial nematic phase reveal a molecular structure that differs significantly from the geometry predicted by theory. One proposed reason for this is the large transverse dipole. We have used computer simulations to investigate this using a simple lattice model for a bent core mesogen. We observe that the biaxial nematic to isotropic phase transition is no longer restricted to a single angle. Instead the Landau point splits into a Landau line and this transition can occur for a range of angles. The transition also becomes first order rather than continuous. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AB - Recent claims that bent core molecules can exhibit the elusive biaxial nematic phase reveal a molecular structure that differs significantly from the geometry predicted by theory. One proposed reason for this is the large transverse dipole. We have used computer simulations to investigate this using a simple lattice model for a bent core mesogen. We observe that the biaxial nematic to isotropic phase transition is no longer restricted to a single angle. Instead the Landau point splits into a Landau line and this transition can occur for a range of angles. The transition also becomes first order rather than continuous. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

KW - LIQUID-CRYSTALS

KW - SYSTEMS

U2 - 10.1016/j.cplett.2007.02.025

DO - 10.1016/j.cplett.2007.02.025

M3 - Article

SN - 0009-2614

VL - 437

SP - 189

EP - 192

JO - Chemical Physics Letters

JF - Chemical Physics Letters

IS - 4-6

ER -