New hexatic liquid phase observed in lyotropic thin films
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Journal Volume
93
Journal Issue
24
Date Issued
2004
Author(s)
Abstract
An intermediate surface hexatic phase between the liquid and the crystalline phases has been found for the first time in a lyotropic lamellar liquid-crystal system. This phase is highly unusual in that it has long-range sixfold bond-orientational order but liquidlike nearest-neighbor positional correlations, and could represent a significant departure from our current understanding of defect-mediated melting in two dimensions.
Type
journal article