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Dynamics of a faceted nematic-smectic-B front in thin-sample directional solidification.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  11800702     Owner:  NLM     Status:  PubMed-not-MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
We present an experimental study of the directional-solidification patterns of a nematic-smectic-B front. The chosen system is C4H9-(C6H10)2CN (in short, CCH4) in 12 microm-thick samples, and in the planar configuration (director parallel to the plane of the sample). The nematic-smectic-B interface presents a facet in one direction-the direction parallel to the smectic layers--and is otherwise rough and devoid of forbidden directions. We measure the Mullins-Sekerka instability threshold and establish the morphology diagram of the system as a function of the solidification rate V and the angle straight theta(0) between the facet and the isotherms. We focus on the phenomena occurring immediately above the instability threshold when straight theta(0) is neither very small nor close to 90 degrees. Under these conditions, we observe drifting shallow cells and a type of solitary wave, called "faceton," which consists essentially of an isolated macroscopic facet traveling laterally at such a velocity that its growth rate with respect to the liquid is small. Facetons may propagate either in a stationary or an oscillatory way. The detailed study of their dynamics casts light on the microscopic growth mechanisms of the facets in this system.
Authors:
T Börzsönyi; S Akamatsu; G Faivre
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2001-12-13
Journal Detail:
Title:  Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics     Volume:  65     ISSN:  1539-3755     ISO Abbreviation:  Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys     Publication Date:  2002 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2002-01-21     Completed Date:  2002-03-29     Revised Date:  2003-10-31    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101136452     Medline TA:  Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  011702     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Groupe de Physique des Solides, CNRS UMR 75-88, Universités Denis Diderot and Pierre et Marie Curie, Tour 23, 2 place Jussieu, 75251 Paris Cedex 05, France.
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