Nanoprofilometry study of focal conic domain structures in a liquid crystalline free surface

Abstract

This work presents the first high-resolution nanoprofilometry study consisting of nanoscale resolution surface profile measurements and high-quality visualization of a the free surface of a liquid crystal–air boundary. The capabilities of this new experimental method, as applied for liquid crystal free boundaries, are discussed. The formation of focal conic domain structures at the smectic-A–air free boundary was detected and studied.