Do the short helices exist in the nematic TB phase?

TL;DR

This paper investigates the existence of short helices in the twist-bend nematic phase of dimeric compounds, analyzing optical textures and internal structures to understand their nanoscale features.

Contribution

It provides evidence of submicron internal structures in the Ntb phase, suggesting surface freezing phenomena and advancing understanding of its nanoscale organization.

Findings

Presence of 8 nm periodicity in focal conic defects

Evidence of surface freezing in the Ntb phase

Unusual optical textures linked to nanoscale structures

Abstract

Dimeric compounds forming twist-bend nematic, Ntb, phase show unusual optical texture related to the formation of arrays of focal conic defects. Some of the focal conics show submicron internal structure with 8 nm periodicity, which is very close to that found in the crystalline phase of the material, suggesting surface freezing.