Analysis of shear induced flow in liquid crystal monolayer

With the Maxwell displacement current (MDC) measurement coupled with optical second harmonic generation (SHG) measurement, the dielectric polarization phenomena of monolayers can be investigated. We have been studying the flow behavior of Langmuir-film by the MDC–SHG experimental system. Shear induced phase transition accompanying the monolayer structural change from C∞-symmetry to Cs-symmetry was detected by MDC and SHG measurement under lateral constant monolayer compression. This dynamical behavior of organic monolayer was well explained, taking into account the tilt of directors in monolayers coupled with the lattice structure of organic monolayers.