Unusual thickness-dependent thermal behavior due to molecular tilt coupling strength in free-standing 7O.7 thin films
Journal
Europhysics Letters
Journal Volume
71
Journal Issue
6
Pages
945-951
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
We report the results of thermal and structural studies near the Sm-C–Sm-I critical point in free-standing thin films of 7O.7. The profiles of the Sm-C–Sm-I heat-capacity anomalies are found to exhibit an unexpected crossover behavior with film thickness in reduced dimensions, which is qualitatively similar to that seen in by Yao et al. in the bulk. Moreover, we observe the existence of a surface hexatic Sm-L phase in 7O.7 films of less than eight layers whose phase sequence is, however, dramatically different from that observed in thicker films.
Type
journal article