Landau Theory of the Direct Smectic-A to Isotropic Phase Transition

TLDR: In this paper, the first order behavior of the smectic-A to isotropic phase transition is studied by means of Landau theory, and the temperature difference TAI-T* is also calculated from the scaling equation of state and compared with the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition.

Abstract: Direct smectic-A to isotropic phase transition is studied by means of Landau theory. The theory predicts the first order behaviour of the smectic-A to isotropic phase transition. The temperature difference TAI-T* is also calculated from the scaling equation of state and compared with the nematic to isotropic phase transition