Packing, correlation function, defect structures, and order parameters of liquid-crystal side-chain polymers by x-ray-diffraction investigations

Abstract

X-ray investigations were carried out on well-oriented liquid-crystal side-chain polymers of two series: (1) a polyacrylate-methylacrylate copolymer series with polar –CN end group and (2) the polyacrylate or polymethylacrylate with –OCH3 end group. To explain the diffraction phenomena a new fan-shaped model is suggested. Using this model the packings in the SmA phase were discussed and the correlation function G(r) was determined from the inner reflections. The order parameters were calculated on the basis of the intensity simulation of the outer reflections.