Dislocation-loop-mediated smectic melting

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Published 23 November 2005 2006 EDP Sciences
, , Citation P. Moreau et al 2006 EPL 73 49 DOI 10.1209/epl/i2005-10348-y

0295-5075/73/1/49

Abstract

We report the direct observation, using freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy, of topological melting in a lyotropic system in the vicinity of a smectic-cholesteric (N*) phase transition. The proliferation of dislocations leads to at least one, and possibly two intermediate phases, characterised by orientational ordering of the dislocation loops and the subsequent unbinding of the screw-dislocation lines.

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10.1209/epl/i2005-10348-y