Simple model for the smectic A-smectic C phase transition

Abstract

A model based on second rank tensor orientational properties of smectic phases is developed. The model predicts a second order smectic A-smectic C phase transition of the superfluid type if certain model parameters have appropriate values. A feature of the model is that the biaxiality of the smectic C phase plays only a minor role. Free rotation about the long molecular axis is not forbidden in the smectic C phase