Stability of the formation of the chevron structure

Abstract

A simple model of the formation of the chevron structure and tilted layer structure in the smectic C liquid crystal phase from the bookshelf structure in the smectic A phase is considered. Energetic considerations of this system indicate that in the absence of layer pinning forces at the surface, a transition to the tilted structure is expected. However, combining the model with 'weak' surface positional anchoring effects allows the chevron structure to form.