Dynamic Self‐Assembly of the Liquid‐Crystalline Smectic A Phase

Abstract

A photoinduced transition in an azobenzene-containing liquid crystal leads to a phase that does not exist in the thermal cycle. The smectic A phase is induced and stabilized only in the presence of UV light, producing fan-shaped focal conic textures typical of the SmA phase, as observed by polarized-light microscopy (see Figure). This dynamic self-assembly is explained by photoinduced nanophase segregation and a frustrated spin-gas model. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2089/2005/c0161_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.