Thermodynamic states and symmetry of liquid crystals

All the diverse types of liquid-crystalline states can be described in a unified manner by analogy with the group-theoretical description of the symmetry and properties of crystals. The symmetry properties of liquid crystals with respect to the orientation of the molecules, and the conditions for the appearance of a modulated orientational structure, are considered. The phase diagrams in liquid crystals are described, and a general scheme of the phase transitions between liquid-crystalline phases is given. The problem of the ferroelectric state in liquids is considered, and the classes of anisotropic liquids that possess ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties are demonstrated. A thermodynamic description is given of the ferroelectric phenomena observed experimentally in smectic liquid crystals. The question of the physical nature of the low-symmetry smectic phases is discussed and the character of the phase transitions in liquid crystals is considered.

PACS: 61.30.Gd, 64.70.Ew, 77.60.+n, 77.80.−e (all)
DOI: 10.1070/PU1978v021n06ABEH005557
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1978/6/a/
Citation: Pikin S A, Indenbom V L "Thermodynamic states and symmetry of liquid crystals" Sov. Phys. Usp. 21 487–501 (1978)

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Оригинал: Пикин С А, Инденбом В Л «Термодинамические состояния и симметрия жидких кристаллов» УФН 125 251–277 (1978); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0125.197806c.0251

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