Nándor Éber

Capacitance changes in ferronematic liquid crystals induced by low magnetic fields

The response in capacitance to low external magnetic fields (up to 0.1 T) of suspensions of spherical magnetic nanoparticles, single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), SWCNT functionalized with carboxyl group (SWCNT-COOH) and SWCNT functionalized with Fe3O4 nanoparticles in a nematic liquid crystal has been studied experimentally. The volume concentration of nanoparticles was φ1 = 10 −4 and φ2 = 10 . Independent of the type and the volume concentration of the nanoparticles, a linear response to low magnetic fields (far below the magnetic Fréederiksz transition threshold) has been observed, which is not present in the undoped nematic. PACS numbers: 61.30.Gd, 77.84Nh, 75.50.Mm, 75.30.Gw ∗ Corresponding author; tothkatona.tibor@wigner.mta.hu

Electromechanical effect in S*c liquid crystals

Detailed analysis is given of the electromechanical effect in planar S*c liquid crystals. Experimental data are presented for the amplitude of the vibration as a function of the frequency, applied voltage and temperature. The existence and the frequency dependence of the linear electromechanical effect is explained within the framework of a continuum theory.

Flexoelectricity in liquid crystals : theory, experiments and applications

Preface - the Concept of Flexoelectricity (R Meyer) Molecular Theory of Flexoelectricity in Nematics (M Osipov) Flexoelectro-optics and Measurements of Flexocoefficients (N V Madhusudana) Flexoelectricity of Bent Core Molecules (A Jakli & N Aeber) The Role of Flexoelectricity in Pattern Formation (A Buka et al.) Flexoelectro-optic Chiral Nematic Based Devices and Displays (H Coles & S Morris) Flexoelectricity in Chiral Polar Smectics - The Origin of Interactions to Distant Layers (M Cepic) Flexoelectricity in Biological and Lyotropic Systems (A Petrov) Applications of the Flexoelectric Effect (S T Lagerwall & P Rudquist).

Prewavy Pattern: A Director-Modulation Structure in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract A periodic structure (the prewavy pattern) found below the onset of electroconvection in a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal is reported. It is characterized by a periodic modulation of the director in the xy-plane, which can be distinguished from electroconvection patterns with modulation in the xz-plane. The prewavy instability is investigated in detail; a phase diagram in the frequency-voltage plane, the voltage dependence of the azimuthal rotation angle, the voltage and frequency dependence of the wavelength of the prewavy pattern, and the director field in the prewavy pattern are provided. This prewavy pattern always evolves into the so-called chevrons above onset of convection. The wavelength of the chevrons and the orientation of their alternating zig and zag rolls depend on the director structure of the prewavy pattern.

Influence of the anisometry of magnetic particles on the isotropic–nematic phase transition

The influence of the shape anisotropy of magnetic particles on the isotropic–nematic phase transition was studied in ferronematics based on the nematic liquid crystal (LC) 4-(trans-4-n-hexylcyclohexyl)-isothiocyanato-benzene (6CHBT). The LC was doped with spherical or rod-like magnetic particles of different size and volume concentrations. The phase transition from isotropic to nematic phase was observed by polarising microscope as well as by capacitance measurements. The influence of the concentration and the shape anisotropy of the magnetic particles on the isotropic–nematic phase transition in LC are demonstrated here. The results are in a good agreement with recent theoretical predictions.

Physical properties of a bent-core nematic liquid crystal and its mixtures with calamitic molecules

This article summarizes the results obtained by various experimental methods on the physical properties of a bent-core nematic liquid crystal 4-chloro-1,3-phenylene bis-4-[4′-(9-decenyloxy) benzoyloxy] benzoate (ClPbis10BB). The material exhibits unusual properties in all aspects tested. Its bend flexoelectric coefficient is 1000 times larger than in calamitics; it is viscoelastic with a large, shear-rate-dependent viscosity. Its bend and twist elastic constants are abnormally low; thus the nematic phase can be rendered to be a blue fog phase with a small amount of chiral dopant. It shows very high flow birefringence and unusually small leading Landau coefficient. It has two types of isotropic phases; at lower temperature it is probably tetrahedratic that can be transferred into the nematic phase with magnetic field. ClPbis10BB has a frequency-dependent conductivity anisotropy which is characterized by a double sign inversion. It exhibits various electroconvection (EC) patterns which are currently not understood in the frame of the standard theory of EC.

Continuum Theory of Uniformly Layered Chiral Smectic C* in an Electromagnetic Field

Abstract A linearized continuum theory combining electro-, hydro- and thermodynamics of smectic C liquid crystals is presented. Electromagnetic field is incorporated into the balance equations and generalized free energy is introduced. Reversible and irreversible proesses are handled separately. Constitutive equations are derived for both chiral and achiral smectic C phases. The connection between chirality and the existence of cross-effects is discussed. A physical interpretation of the final equations is also given. It is shown that in the chiral smectic C* phase a new effect, viz. electromechanical coupling, may exist.

Properties of a Homologous Series of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

Abstract A homologous series of MBOPEnOBA chiral compounds has heen synthesized and some chemical and physical properties of the components as well as that of a binary mixture has heen studied. Measurements of the spontaneous polarization and the pitch are presented and results of eutectic, dielectric, electrooptic and electromechanical investigations are given.

Mesophase behaviour of binary mixtures of bent-core and calamitic compounds

The mesophase behaviour of binary mixtures of bent-core and calamitic liquid crystals is presented. The nematogenic 4,6-dichloro-1,3-phenylene bis[4′-(10-undecen-1-yloxy)-1,1′-biphenyl-4-carboxylate] (I) was the banana-shaped component. As the calamitic compound ethyl 4′-(9-decen-1-yloxy)-1,1′-biphenyl-4-carboxylate (II), similar to one arm of the bent-core molecule, was used which exhibits smectic phases in a wide temperature range. A total of six mixtures with different compositions were prepared and studied by polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction on non-oriented samples. In the mixtures, a nematic phase is not concomitant with smectic A phase, and the temperature range of both phases highly depends on the concentration of the comprising compounds. Lowered melting temperatures have been observed for all mixtures with respect to that of the pure compounds. Unforeseen finding is the induction of a monotropic SmC phase in mixtures with lowest concentration of the bent-core compound. Semi-empirical quantum-chemical calculations have also been performed. Based on the calculated molecular conformation, as well as on collected X-ray diffraction data, a model for a possible self-assembly of the banana-shaped and calamitic compounds is proposed.

Electric-field-induced patterns and their temperature dependence in a bent-core liquid crystal.

Two kinds of electroconvection patterns in an ether-bridged bent-core nematic liquid crystal material (BCN), which appear in different frequency ranges, are examined and compared. One is a longitudinal pattern with the stripes parallel to the orientation of the BCN and with a periodicity of approximately the cell thickness, occurring in the high-frequency range of several hundreds Hz; the other one is oblique stripes, which results in a zigzag pattern, and appears in the low-frequency range of several tens Hz. In addition, within an intermediate-frequency range, transformations from oblique to longitudinal and then to normal stripes occur at increased ac voltages. In particular, we investigated the temperature behavior of longitudinal and oblique stripes: When the temperature T increases and approaches the clearing temperature Tc, the contrast of the domains is enhanced and the frequency range of existence becomes wider, while the onset voltages increase only moderately instead of diverging, thus suggesting an isotropic mechanism of pattern formation.