Finite-size effects in biomimetic smectic films

T. A. Harroun, V. A. Raghunathan, J. Pencer, M.-P. Nieh, and J. Katsaras
Phys. Rev. E 70, 062902 – Published 20 December 2004

Abstract

Thin stacks of lipid multibilayers supported on rigid silicon and mica substrates are found to exhibit finite-size effects. Using neutron diffraction we find that the repeat spacing (d) of stacks containing up to a few tens of bilayers depends on their thickness (D), with d increasing with decreasing D. Differences in d are larger in the low-temperature Lβ phase consisting of rigid bilayers than in the high-temperature Lα phase where the bilayers are more flexible. Various scenarios that may be responsible for this counterintuitive observation are discussed.

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  • Received 8 March 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.70.062902

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

T. A. Harroun1, V. A. Raghunathan1,2, J. Pencer1, M.-P. Nieh1, and J. Katsaras1

  • 1Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences, National Research Council, Chalk River, Ontario, Canada K0J 1J0
  • 2Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, India

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Vol. 70, Iss. 6 — December 2004

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