Pattern formations of smectic-A domains grown from an isotropic phase in Cano wedges

Pattern formation processes and equilibrium shapes of smectic-a domains grown from an isotropic phase in the Cane wedges have been observed in the mixture of octyloxycyanobiphenyl and dodecyl alcohol. The Cane wedges enable us to observe cell thickness (L) dependence of the pattern formation. In the region of L > 10 mu m, three dimensional growth and equilibrium shapes that have been reported earlier in the 50 mu m-thick cells were observed. On the other hand, in the region of L < 10 mu m, the observed patterns are essentially characterized by plane curves. For instance, circular filaments, which were rarely found for L > 10 mu m, developed from buckled filaments were reproducibly observed as equilibrium shapes. In addition, the pattern formation processes in the thickness range of 1 < L < 4 mu m are found to be different from those of L < 4 mu m. The influence of electric-field application to the equilibrium shapes in the Cane wedges is also examined.