Spontaneous Twist and Bend Deformation of the Nematic Phase for Mesogenic Dimers

The primary goal of the proposed activities is to contribute to the understanding of the causes behind the formation and physical properties of mesophases with negative elastic constants and non-uniform ground states. Here, we propose to perform a series of experimental investigations combining techniques like spatially resolved birefringence measurements, electro-optic studies or dielectric spectroscopy. Furthermore, studies of colloidal inclusions in the nematic and twist-bend nematic phases of materials showing both mesophases are planned.