Expansion Coefficient of Methoxybenzylidene Butylaniline through the Liquid-Crystal Phase Transition

Abstract

The density of methoxybenzylidene butylaniline has been measured for a 10°C temperature range about the nematic-isotropic transition temperature. The coefficient of expansion has been fitted to an equation of the form $\beta ={\beta }_0+Z{|T-T_c|}^{-G}$ both above and below the transition point. The values of $T_c$ found from above and below are interpreted as virtual transition temperatures. The power law is taken as evidence that fluctuations play a measurable role in determining the expansion coefficients.