Structural study of a bent-core liquid crystal showing the B1-B2 transition

An experimental study of the B1-B2 transition is carried out in a bent-core liquid crystal. The study is essentially based on x-ray measurements as a function of temperature. The B1-B2 transition is extremely unusual and implies a deep structural change from a columnar phase to a lamellar phase. We have found that the B1 phase in our compound is similar to the so-called B1 reversed phase, with an additional splay of the polarization in the columns. On approaching the B2 phase the width of the cross section of the columns increases. The transition is clearly first order, with a large hysteresis though the enthalpy content is very small. A possible mechanism for the transition is briefly sketched.