Liquid Crystals: Experimental Study of Physical Properties and Phase Transitions

Description

Originally published in 2001, this book describes in detail various experimental techniques used in the study of liquid crystals. It will be indispensable for established workers in the field as well as students embarking on liquid crystal research. Each chapter in the book is dedicated to an important experimental technique used in the study and characterisation of liquid crystalline systems. Use of these techniques on liquid crystals requires modifications of traditional experiments, special sample handling and a fresh a approach to data analysis. In addition, general routes used to synthesise liquid crystals and tools to characterise liquid crystal phases are described. Attempts are also made to show structure property relationships for well known systems. This book will be of particular interest to graduate students in physics and chemistry as well as established researchers in the fields of liquid crystals and soft condensed matter.

Review of the hardback: '... the volume succeeds in its goals and should be a valuable resource for anyone undertaking advanced research in liquid crystals.' Times Higher Education Supplement Andrew Briggs Review of the hardback: ' ... well written and referenced ... good and informative.' Chemistry in Britain Review of the hardback: 'Liquid Crystals competently and elegantly covers the principal techniques used to investigate liquid crystals - these include polarizing microscopy, differential scaning polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, nuclear magnetic resonance and light scattering ... There is a remarkable chapter on freely suspended films - films stretched across a hole in a plate so that they are not in contact with the solid surface on either side ... For students about to embark on experimental investigations of thermotropic, nematic or smectic systems, this book could be one of their best buys.' Nature John Lydon Review of the hardback: 'It will make a useful addition to the ever-growing array of books discussing liquid crystals and related fields. It will be particularly useful to anyone interested in gaining understanding of the experimental techniques that it discusses.' Contemporary Physics S. J. Elston Review of the hardback: 'The book is a remarkable work that is especially well suited to the needs of advanced graduate students familiar with the basics of condensed matter physics and the structural aspects of materials science ... It is comprehensive, judicious in its choices and the style is crisp and concise ... sufficiently comprehensive to serve as a starting point for anyone who wants to learn about the state of the art in liquid crystal physics ... the book I show to students first is Kumar's.' Optics & Photonics News Christian Brosseau