Integrated x-ray-scattering intensity measurement of the order parameter at the nematic-to-smectic-A phase transition

Kelby K. Chan, Moshe Deutsch, B. M. Ocko, P. S. Pershan, L. B. Sorensen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The temperature dependence of the square of the smectic order parameter, Ψ2, was determined from the integrated x-ray scattering intensity. The data are described very well by the form I(t)/I(0)=1A(±)tx, where t=(T-TNA)/TNA. The determined values for x do not agree with the theoretically expected value x=1-α, where α is the heat-capacity exponent. This disagreement raises questions concerning the quantitative validity of the Landau-de Gennes free energy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)920-923
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume54
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1985
Externally publishedYes

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