Self-organization of isotropic droplets in smectic- C free-standing films

Free standing smectic films have been investigated at the transition from the smectic- C phase to the isotropic phase. In the vicinity of the bulk transition temperatures, isotropic droplets of micrometer size appear in the film. Such systems represent convenient models for anisotropic, two-dimensional emulsions. A characteristic feature of the droplets is their mutual interaction by elastic distortions of the local orientation of the film, the c director, which are related to the anchoring conditions of the c director at the droplet border. We describe in detail the director deformations created by isotropic droplets of different sizes, and their role in the spontaneous organization of regular droplet patterns. Depending upon droplet size and anchoring strength, topological defects can be induced in the c -director field. Qualitative differences to literature data on cholesteric droplets in smectic- C* films are discussed.