Apparatus for simultaneous observation of the electro-optic response and small angle x-ray scattering in liquid crystals

H. F. Gleeson*, C. Carboni, A. S. Morse

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A novel apparatus allowing the simultaneous observation of small angle x-ray scattering and time dependent birefringence changes of a dynamic system is described. The apparatus incorporates a monochromatic light source, polarizers, a fast photodiode detector, and electric field generating equipment, such that electro-optic response times between 10 μs and 100 s may be measured. The electro-optic apparatus is incorporated in an x-ray camera sited at the Synchrotron Radiation Source at Daresbury Laboratory, UK. The x-ray apparatus allows the study of structures ∼30 Å in dimension and the detector is time resolved with a minimum response time of 10 μs. A hot stage and temperature controller are also incorporated into the apparatus, allowing the study of smectic liquid crystal devices. Results from the simultaneous acquisition of time resolved x-ray scattering data and electro-optic measurements from a thin film of smectic-A liquid crystal are presented.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3563-3568
Number of pages6
JournalReview of Scientific Instruments
Volume66
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1995
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Instrumentation

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