Abstract
The nematic-smectic-A phase transition in thin (100-600 ) films of polymethacrylate liquid-crystal polymer on glass substrates has been studied by means of x-ray reflectivity. In ultrathin films (about 5-7 smectic layers) the phase-transition temperature is several degrees higher than in the bulk or in thicker films. This effect may be attributed to the suppression of thermal fluctuations by the substrate and finite-size effects.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 8265-8268 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physical Review B |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 13 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1993 |