Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 29, 2018
Discovery of a novel smectic-C{*} liquid-crystal phase with six-layer periodicity
Shun Wang1, Lidong Pan, R Pindak
1School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
Abstract:
We report the discovery of a new smectic-C{*} liquid-crystal phase with six-layer periodicity by resonant x-ray diffraction. Upon cooling, the new phase appears between the SmC{alpha}{*} phase having a helical structure and the SmC{d4}{*} phase with four-layer periodicity. This SmC{d6}{*} phase was identified in two mixtures which have an unusual reversed SmC{d4}{*}-SmC{*} phase sequence. The SmC{d6}{*} phase shows a distorted clock structure. Three theoretical models have predicted the existence of a six-layer phase. However, our experimental findings are not consistent with the theories.
Related Concept Videos
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability. Many...
Structures of Solids
Fluid Mosaic Model
The Seven Crystal Systems: Overview
Symmetry Elements in a Crystal
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects

