Magnetic-field induced isotropic to nematic liquid crystal phase transition

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Dec 12;101(24):247801. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.247801. Epub 2008 Dec 10.

Abstract

We report on measurements of magnetic-field induced nematic order in the bent-core liquid crystal 4-chlororesorcinol bis[4-(4-n-dodecyloxybenzoyloxy) benzoate]. Using the 31 T solenoid at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, we have observed, at temperatures less than 1 degrees above the clearing point, a first-order transition to the nematic phase. The critical magnetic field at which this occurs increases with temperature. We discuss these results within the context of both Maier-Saupe and Landau-de Gennes mean-field models for the nematic-isotropic transition. The implications of possible tetrahedratic order are also discussed. To our knowledge, this is the first observation of such a magnetic-field induced transition in a thermotropic liquid crystal; the reasons for which this behavior is now attainable are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Benzoates / chemistry
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Crystallization
  • Liquid Crystals / chemistry*
  • Magnetics*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Resorcinols / chemistry
  • Thermodynamics

Substances

  • Benzoates
  • Resorcinols