Simultaneous Magnetic-Deformation and Light-Scattering Study of Bend and Twist Elastic-Constant Divergence at the Nematic-Smectic-APhase Transition

Abstract
Simultaneous magnetic-deformation and light-scattering studies of the nematic bend and twist constant exponents respectively suggest that the nematic-smectic-A critical point is weakly anisotropic, in disagreement with all theories of the nematic-smectic-A transition. This study also suggests that the bend exponent is universal and very close to the helium value.