Solid and fluid phases in smectic layers with tilted molecules

Abstract

A recent theory of two-dimensional melting is applied to freely suspended liquid-crystal films with a tilt degree of freedom. As many as seven distinct phases are possible, including those we identify with smectic-$A$, -$B$, -$C$, and -$H$ liquid crystals. Some of these phases may survive when stacked to form bulk smectics.