Observations of focal conic domains in smectic liquid crystals aligned on patterned self‐assembled monolayers

Abstract

Patterned Self‐Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) promoting both homeotropic and planar degenerate alignment of nCBs in their smectic‐A phase were created using microcontact printing of functionalized organothiols on gold films. By patterning the surface with homeotropic and planar aligning SAMs, the location and formation of the focal conic domains (FCDs) can be controlled. Polarizing microscopy was used to study the formation of FCDs in circle, stripe and checkerboard pattern geometries. Fluorescent confocal microscopy (FCM) was used for the first time to measure the eccentricity of FCDs that form along a stripe pattern.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Engineering and Physical Research Council, grant No. GR/S59826/01. JPB and TJA acknowledge Sharp Laboratories of Europe, Ltd for the provision of CASE awards.