Certain thermotropic, liquid crystal films exhibit a strange phenomenon in which two different thicknesses coexist side-by-side on a solid surface over a definite range of temperatures. A newly discovered thickness-coexistence region is presented for stable films of the liquid crystal 8CB adsorbed on silicon. A phase diagram is deduced from X-ray and optical measurements. The analysis of the percent areas, covered by thin and thick phases in the coexistence region, reveals that they satisfy a lever rule similar to other thermodynamic systems.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Subashi, Ergys David

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042308-030529

Advisor

• Garcia, Rafael

Year

• 2008

Date created

• 2008-04-23

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Physics

Rights statement

• In Copyright