Eur. Phys. J. B 6, 347-353 (1998)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050560

Macroscopic properties of smectic liquid crystals

¹ Theoretische Physik III, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
² Advanced Liquid Crystal Technologies, P.O. Box 1314, Summit, NJ 07902, USA
³ Max-Planck-Institut für Polymerforschung, 55021 Mainz, Germany

Received: 25 March 1998
Revised: 15 June 1998
Accepted: 15 July 1998
Published online: 15 December 1998

Abstract

We discuss the macroscopic behavior of smectic C_G liquid crystals. Smectic C_G is the most general tilted smectic phase that is fluid in the layers. It is characterized by global C₁ symmetry. Consequently, it is ferroelectric, pyroelectric and piezoelectric, opening up a number of possible applications for such a phase. As smectic C_G-phase has a macroscopic hand due to its structure, it is a natural candidate to explain the recent experimental observations of left and right-handed helices in a system composed of achiral molecules. We also discuss critically to what extent smectic C_G could be important for liquid crystalline phases formed by banana-shaped molecules. Phase transitions involving a smectic C_G phase and defects of its in-plane director are briefly discussed.