Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 3642–3645 (2000)Two Experimental Tests of the Halperin-Lubensky-Ma Effect at the Nematic–Smectic- A Phase TransitionReceived 6 July 1999; published in the issue dated 17 April 2000 We have conducted two quantitative tests of predictions based on the Halperin-Lubensky-Ma (HLM) theory of fluctuation-induced first-order phase transitions. First, we explore the effect of an external magnetic field on the nematic–smectic- A transition in a liquid crystal. Second, we examine the dependence of the first-order discontinuity as a function of mixture concentration in pure 8CB and three 8CB-10CB mixtures. We find the first quantitative evidence for deviations from the HLM theory. © 2000 The American Physical Society URL:
http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3642
DOI:
10.1103/PhysRevLett.84.3642
PACS:
64.70.Md, 61.30.Gd, 64.60.Fr
|
|
About | Terms and Conditions | Subscriptions | Search | Help
Use of the American Physical Society websites and journals implies that the user has read and agrees to our Terms and Conditions and any applicable Subscription Agreement. Physical Review®, Physical Review Letters®, Reviews of Modern Physics®, and Physical Review Special Topics® are trademarks of the American Physical Society.