Meniscus and Dislocations in Free-Standing Films of Smectic-A Liquid Crystals
Résumé
A flat, freely suspended film of smectic-A liquid crystal supports a pressure difference, Dp, across its two free surfaces. The size of its meniscus is about 10 mm, 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the capillary length, and its profile is predicted to be circular, in accordance with our measurement. The measurement of its radius of curvature gives Dp. We nucleate ex nihilo an elementary edge dislocation loop, and from its critical radius and growth dynamics (governed by Dp), we find the line tension ͑ϳ8 3 10 27 dyn͒ and the mobility of an elementary edge dislocation
Domaines
Physique Générale [physics.gen-ph]
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