A Continuum Theory for Smectic C Liquid Crystals

Abstract

Abstract Our aim in this paper is to present a rather general non-linear continuum theory that may prove useful for the interpretation of observations and experiments upon smectic C liquid crystals. In its present formulation our theory is constrained to exclude variations in the layer spacing thickness and also changes in tilt with respect to the layer normal. De Gennes1 discusses a theory of this type for smectic A liquid crystals, but for these liquids applications of such a constrained theory are somewhat more restricted than for smectic C materials, and consequently our interest focuses on the latter. Throughout, much of our motivation and reasoning stem from experience with nematic theory, details of which are available in, for example, the reviews by Ericksen2 and Leslie3 as well as the books by de Gennes1 and Chandrasekhar.4 Key Words: continuum theorysmectic-C liquid crystalsdupin cyclidesflow alignment