Bond-orientationally-ordered phases that scatter light strongly

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Abstract
Bond-orientational order in materials that form three-dimensional uniaxial solids is investigated. New phases are found that scatter light strongly, like nematics, but with a quantitatively different anisotropy of scattering. X-ray scattering from these phases would also exhibit novel anisotropy. This type of order may occur at higher temperatures in materials that form "stacked hexatic" phases at lower temperatures, and will occur whenever a hexagonal crystal melts via dislocation unbinding.