The Polyakov line, the Nishimori line and polymer networks standing a smectic liquid crystal

TL;DR

This paper investigates the phase transition from smectic-A to nematic in crosslinked polymer networks with smectic liquid crystals, using spectroscopy experiments and theoretical comparisons to gauge theories and spin-glass models.

Contribution

It clarifies the universality of the phase transition and relates it to percolation phenomena through experimental and theoretical analysis.

Findings

Identified universality in the phase transition

Linked phase transition to percolation mechanisms

Compared experimental results with gauge and spin-glass models

Abstract

We once more specify an universality of a phase transition from smectic-A to nematic phase in the crosslinked polymer network with a smectic liquid crystal, basing on the X-ray and $^1H$-NMR spectroscopy experiments. Comparing the superconducting 3D XY gauge theory and typical spin-glass models for such systems, it is possible to clarify a type of a phase transition, which might be the reason of percolation.