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Using Optical Microscopy to Determine the Structure and Parameters of Helical Mesophases (March 2013)
Lecture: Beautiful Liquid Crystals: Using Optical Microscopy to Determine the Structure and Parameters of Helical Mesophases
Presenter: Dr. Valerie Laux-Le Guyon, Assistant Professor of Physics at the School of Arts and Sciences, American University in Dubai.
Abstract
Chiral organic non symmetric molecules can display different helical phases in their sequence. Many different measurement techniques have to be used, and sometimes developed, to characterize these phases. The optical study, under microscope, relies on the optical properties (birefringence, selective reflection) and on the dislocations induced by the geometry of the sample. It gives information about the structure itself, and allows the measurement of the helical pitch. The structure of the mesophases involved will be introduced. Two different types of sample will be presented. The features phases display and their relation with the molecular organization within the sample will be explained. Finally, the textures observed and the results obtained will be reported.
For more information, contact [email protected].