Liquid Crystals: Experimental Study of Physical Properties and Phase Transitions

by Satyendra Kumar

Overview

This hands-on guide details various experimental techniques used in the study of liquid crystals and other soft-condensed matter systems. Each chapter portrays an important technique used to study and characterize these systems, fully discussing both the capabilities and limitations of each particular method. In addition, the volume also describes general routes used to synthesize liquid crystals, tools to characterize liquid crystal phases, and seeks to show structure property relationships for well known systems. This book will be indispensable for established workers in the field as well as students embarking on liquid crystal research.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521187947
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/28/2011
Pages:	518
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.20(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction S. Kumar and M. Fisch; 2. Characterisation of mesophase types and transitions M. Neubert; 3. Structure: X-ray diffraction studies of liquid crystals S. Kumar; 4. Physical properties P. Photinos; 5. Orientational order - NMR studies P. Ukleja and D. Finotello; 6. Light scattering and quasi-elastic spectroscopy J. T. Ho; 7. Calorimetric studies C. W. Garland; 8. Freely suspended films experiments J. D. Brock; 9. X-ray surface scattering studies of liquid crystals S. K. Sinha; 10. Chemical structure-property relationships M. E. Neubert.

Editorial Reviews

"...a remarkable work that is especially well suited to the needs of advanced graduate students familiar with the basics of condensed matter physics and the structural aspects of material science. It is comprehensive, judicious in its choices and the style is crisp and concise...the book I show to students first is Kumar's." Christian Brosseau, Universitè de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France

"Liquid Crystals competently and elegantly covers the principal techniques used to investigate liquid crystals...Kumar has achieved his goal of producing a volume of practical information with 'in-depth technical details'. For students about to embark on experimental investigations of thermotropic, nematic or smectic systems, this book could be one of their best buys." Nature

"...a valuable addition to the literature on liquid crystalline materials in general...beautifully produced, with the obligatory color plates showing some of the remarkable textures exhibited by these fascinating materials." Polymer News

"This is a book from which a great deal of information may be retrieved efficiently, and so a complete, well-designed index is a must. I sampled a variety of topics in the index; it passed my test. I like this book very much, for many reasons. It is comprehensive, judicious in its choices and the style is crisp and conciseo.It is a pleasure for me to recommend this book for its outstanding depiction of the fundamentals of liquid crystals." Optics and Photonics News

"The present book is beautifully produced, with the obligatory color plates showing some of the remarkable textures exhibited by these fascinating materials." Polymer News,2001

From the Publisher