Liquid Crystals: Experimental Study of Physical Properties and Phase Transitions

This book describes in detail various experimental techniques used in the study of liquid crystals. It will be indispensable for established workers in the field as well as students embarking on liquid crystal research. Each chapter in the book is dedicated to an important experimental technique used in the study and characterisation of liquid crystalline systems. Use of these techniques on liquid crystals requires modifications of traditional experiments, special sample handling and data analysis not discussed anywhere else. In addition, general routes used to synthesize liquid crystals and tools to characterize liquid crystal phases are described. Attempts have been made to show structure property relationships for well known systems. This book will be of particular interest to graduate students in physics and chemistry as well as established researchers in the fields of liquid crystals and soft condensed matter.