Pretransitional behavior of the density of the nematic phase

G. R. Van Hecke and J. Stecki
Phys. Rev. A 25, 1123 – Published 1 February 1982
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Abstract

Volume and temperature studies on pentylcyanobiphenyl, in a single-capillary dilatometer capable of a sensitivity in density of 2 × 106 g/cm3 in a constant-temperature bath stable to ±0.2 mK, are reported. The data in the nematic-phase pretransitional region have been fit by an equation of the form V=a+bT+c|1TTSP|e, where TSP represents the limit of mechanical stability of the nematic phase (where dpdV=0), and the "pretransition exponent" e=0.50±0.01. To this accuracy, the nematic volume near the transition has the square-root behavior also suggested earlier by experimental results on N(pmethoxybenzylidene)pbutylaniline (MBBA) and other compounds. A new thermodynamic mean-field understanding of this behavior is presented and discussed. Tricriticality of a particular kind is also discussed.

  • Received 24 November 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.25.1123

©1982 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

G. R. Van Hecke* and J. Stecki

  • Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-224 Warsaw 62, Poland

  • *Permanent address, Department of Chemistry, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, California 91711.

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Issue

Vol. 25, Iss. 2 — February 1982

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