A model for a generalized liquid crystal phase sequence

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Abstract
A simple model is presented which is shown to qualitatively explain the structures of the generalized liquid crystal phase sequence : Crystalline-G/Smectic-F → Crystalline-J/Smectic-I → Crystalline-B → Smectic-C → Smectic-A. The model assumes an effectively long range potential which keeps the layers flat, and a partially frustrated nearest neighbour interaction which induces molecular tilt. In addition to determining the order of the phases, the model also explains the observed effects of a free surface, on the phase diagram