Stochastic model for the reorientation of molecules around their long axes in a smectic C phase

Abstract

In smectic phases molecules can reorientate around their long and short axes. The motion of a molecule around its long axis is non-cooperative and influenced by both stochastic and deterministic forces exerted by neighbouring molecules. Solving the Smoluchovsky equation for such a reorientation process, two-time correlation functions are calculated which are related to frequency-dependent susceptibilities. The results are used for investigating how deterministic forces in higher ordered smectic phases have an effect on microwave spectra. It can be concluded that the quadrupolar ordering produces a splitting of the relaxation frequency. This splitting, which should occur at the transition from the smectic A to the smectic C phase, is only weakly influenced by an additional dipolar (ferroelectric) ordering.