The Physics of Liquid Crystals: No. 83 (International Series of Monographs on Physics) - Hardcover

Gennes, Pierre Gilles De

9780198520245: The Physics of Liquid Crystals: No. 83 (International Series of Monographs on Physics)

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198520247 ISBN 13: 9780198520245

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1994

This new edition covers the main properties of nematics, cholesterics, and smectics and columnar phases, particularly the symmetry and the mechanical and optical characteristics of each phase. The latter includes some applications to display systems. De Gennes won the 1991 Nobel Prize for Physics. New chapters describe the main types and properties of liquid crystals in terms of the new phases discovered since the middle of the 1970s, and advances in the understanding of local order and the nature of the isotropic to nematic transition. There is an extensive discussion of the symmetry, and macroscopic and dynamic properties of smectics and columnar phases and their defects, illustrated with numerous descriptions of experimental arrangements. The final chapter is devoted to phase transitions in smectics, including the celebrated analogy between smectic A and superconductors. Throughout the book there is an emphasis on order-of-magnitude considerations.

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Review:

"The first modern book to survey and discuss the physical properties of liquid crystals....presented in a clear and systematic way." --Nature
"A remarkable book that ought to be on the shelf of every liquid crystal physicist. It continues to be the best introductory book for a beginning graduate student as well as a very valuable reference source for experts in the field."--Physics Today
"The first modern book to survey and discuss the physical properties of liquid crystals....presented in a clear and systematic way." --Nature
"A remarkable book that ought to be on the shelf of every liquid crystal physicist. It continues to be the best introductory book for a beginning graduate student as well as a very valuable reference source for experts in the field."--Physics Today
"The first modern book to survey and discuss the physical properties of liquid crystals....presented in a clear and systematic way." --Nature
"A remarkable book that ought to be on the shelf of every liquid crystal physicist. It continues to be the best introductory book for a beginning graduate student as well as a very valuable reference source for experts in the field."--Physics Today
"The first modern book to survey and discuss the physical properties of liquid crystals....presented in a clear and systematic way." --Nature

"A remarkable book that ought to be on the shelf of every liquid crystal physicist. It continues to be the best introductory book for a beginning graduate student as well as a very valuable reference source for experts in the field."--Physics Today

About the Author:

P. G. de Gennes is at Ecole Superieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la ville de Paris.

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