Molecular statistical model of the smectic A and smectic C phases

Abstract

A molecular statistical model of the smectic A and smectic C liquid crystal phases is presented. It is found that the maximum tilt angle in the C phase is 49.1°. Free rotation about the long molecular axis is allowed in the C phase. The model allows smectic C states with chiral constitutive molecules to be ferroelectric. The second rank order parameters needed to describe a smectic C state are discussed.