Orientational order parameters of (-)-2-methyibutyi p- (N- (p- methoxybenzylidene) amino) cinnamate in smectic b phase from x-ray diffraction measurements

Abstract

X-ray diffraction studies on an oriented sample of (-)-2-methoxybutyl p-(N-(p-methoxy benzylidene) amino) cinnamate (MBAC for short) in the smectic B phase are reported at different temperatures. The orientational distribution function and order the parameters P₂ and P₄ are calculated from the X-ray data. Some anomalous properties, observed around 50°C, are explained as being due to a second order smectic B (polylayer) to smectic B (monolayer) transition in the mesogen.