A very high resolution incoherent quasi-elastic neutron scattering study of the smectic E, B and A phases of deutero n-butyl 4-(4′-phenylbenzylideneamino)cinnamate (D-BPBAC)

Abstract

Incoherent quasi-elastic neutron-scattering spectra have been measured on powder samples of D-BPBAC in its smectic E, B and A phases using the high-resolution backscattering technique. The data have been analysed in terms of translational diffusion and a localized rotational motion. It has been found that the apparent translational diffusion constant has a temperature dependent value of ∼1 × 10^-6 cm² s^-1 in the smectic A phase but is smaller by at least an order of magnitude in the smectic B and E phases. Comparison of the widths of the rotational components of the spectra with other measurements suggests that simple rotational models are not adequate to explain the experimental data.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

C.J. Carlile

Now at Rutherford Lab. only.