LIQUID-CRYSTALS IN CYLINDRICAL PORES - EFFECTS ON TRANSITION-TEMPERATURES AND SINGULARITIES

Positive dielectric anisotropy liquid crystals are studied in cylindrical pores in a 10 mu m thick polymer membrane of diameters 0. 2-12 mu m. Transition temperature depressions increase with decreasing pore size. Singularities of strength 1 are observed in the center of the pores, accompanied by some strength one-half singularities. By applying a voltage across the membrane, the S equals 1 singularities are shown to be 'escaped' singularities. S equals plus one quarter singularities show a critical destruction at a characteristic voltage.