Field-induced behavior in a liquid formed by achiral banana-shaped molecules in the vicinity of the phase transition Isotropic-B2 phase

We have experimentally investigated the electric-field effect on the Isotropic - B-2 phase transition of an achiral banana-shaped mesogen 1,3-phenyllene bis[4-(4-10-alkoxy-benoyloxy)phenyliminomethyl] (C-11 compound) [1]. From microscopic observations under electric fields and measurements of the D-E hysteresis loops, the T (temperature) - E (electric field) phase diagram was established, in which a critical field is observed in the isotropic liquid. This field characterizes the first nucleation of a ferroelectric state noted B-F induced by the electric field. The results are interpreted in the framework of a phenomenological model that describes the Isotropic - B-2 phase transition by the condensation of a vector wave directly from the isotropic liquid [2].