Disordering to Order: de Vries behavior from a Landau theory for smectics

Abstract

We show that Landau theory for the isotropic, nematic, smectic A, and smectic C phases generically, but not ubiquitously, implies de Vries behavior. I.e., a continuous AC transition can occur with little layer contraction; the birefringence decreases as temperature T is lowered above this transition, and increases again below the transition. This de Vries behavior occurs in models with unusually small orientational order, and is preceded by a first order I − A transition. A first order AC transition with elements of de Vries behavior can also occur. These results correspond well with experimental work to date.