Liquid Crystals

Polarized optical microscopy of SF5 based liquid crystals. Work of Jeremy Smith, Robert DiStasio Jr.,
and Nicole Hannah 

 Amphitropic Liquid Crystals

 A partial three compound phase diagram of MBBA, Triton X114 and water is shown. The triangular shaded region shows coexistence of three phases I (isotropic phase), L2, L3 (lamellar liquids). The top right image shows the multiphase coexistences as viewed between crossed polarizers. The bottom right image has an invert test tube, this corresponds to an isolated critical point between lamellar liquid crystals. 

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

Temperature composition phase diagram of DOBAMBC and 10O.8 mixtures. The Vertical line roughly (within 1%) divides the chiral phases (right) and achiral phase (left). Symbols I, A, C(*), F(*), G(*), H(*) refer to isotropic, smectic A, C(*), F(*), G(*) and H(*) phases. The uncertainty in AC* transition temperatures is 0.2°C, and for the C(*)-F(*) and F(*)-G(*) transitions is 0.4C. Smooth lines have been drawn through the transition data points to guide the eyes - work of Eric W. Wong

Temperature composition phase diagram of DOBAMBC and 10O.8 mixtures. The Vertical line roughly (within 1%) divides the chiral phases (right) and achiral phase (left). Symbols I, A, C(*), F(*), G(*), H(*) refer to isotropic, smectic A, C(*), F(*), G(*) and H(*) phases. The uncertainty in AC* transition temperatures is 0.2°C, and for the C(*)-F(*) and F(*)-G(*) transitions is 0.4C. Smooth lines have been drawn through the transition data points to guide the eyes.

Work of Eric W. Wong