OBSERVATION OF PHASE-TRANSITIONS IN AN ANTIFERROELECTRIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL INVESTIGATED BY SCANNING-TUNNELING-MICROSCOPY

Here, we present scanning tunneling microscopy images of antiferroelectric liquid-crystalline (AFELC) molecules observed at different elevated temperatures corresponding to different bulk mesophases of the material. These images show evidence for a commensurate changing of the molecular arrangement on the graphite substrate as a function of temperature. Furthermore, a nontrivial angular relationship between the graphite substrate and the AFELC domains was obtained, indicating that there may be a stronger, polar (electrostatic) interaction between the AFELC molecules than between the adsorbate and the substrate. © 1995 American Institute of Physics.