SMECTIC POLYMORPHISM AND MOLECULAR SHAPE - THE ORTHOGONAL PHASES

A method is developed that can be used to describe the volume of space occupied by a given molecule with a known conformational structure as it rotates about a defined axis. The packing requirements of these volumes of revolution have been utilized in the prediction of phase formation, particularly of the B and E phases. Conclusions indicate that the subtle balance between steric and dipolar properties of a mesogen determine the phase types ultimately exhibited by the material.