Evidence for general tilt columnar liquid crystalline phase

The X-ray studies of naphtalene derivatives, having bent mesogenic cores, evidenced a sequence of different types of two-dimensionally (2D) density modulated structures (columnar phases), with molecular blocks made either of layer fragments with C-2 symmetry (smectic C) or C-1 symmetry (general smectic C). The bilayer structure of general smectic C density modulated phase was recognized by the X-ray diffraction experiment. In both types of phase the density modulated structure is driven by polarization splay.