Nature of smectic ordering at a solid–liquid-crystal interface and its influence on layer growth

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Abstract
It is found that the layer normal of a chiral smectic-A liquid crystal is tilted away from an easy axis created by a unidirectional rubbing. The alignment angle of the tilted layer normal with respect to the easy axis approaches about 18°, which is substantially larger than what has been previously observed. This larger deviation cannot be described in terms of the surface electronic effect, and an alternative mechanism is proposed on the basis of molecular chirality and the degree of smectic ordering at the surface.