Field-Induced Behavior in a Liquid Formed by Achiral Banana-Shaped Molecules in the Vicinity of the Phase Transition Isotropic - B 2 Phase

Abstract

We have experimentally investigated the electric-field effect on the Isotropic - B 2 phase transition of an achiral banana-shaped mesogen 1,3-phenyllene bis[4-(4-10-alkoxy-benoyloxy)phenyliminomethyl] ( C 11 compound) [1]. From microscopic observations under electric fields and measurements of the D-E hysteresis loops, the T (temperature) - E (electric field) phase diagram was established, in which a critical field is observed in the isotropic liquid. This field characterizes the first nucleation of a ferroelectric state noted B F induced by the electric field. The results are interpreted in the framework of a phenomenological model that describes the Isotropic - B 2 phase transition by the condensation of a vector wave directly from the isotropic liquid [2].