Freeze Fracturing of Hot Samples

Extract

Liquid crystals are substances which combine properties of both liquids and solids. To investigate the structures and slructurai defects of liquid crystals, freeze fracturing of these gel-Like substances has been performed successfully for many years. In the TEM the structures of the different types of liquid crystals have been investigated and the results confirmed the earlier investigations using polarizing light microscopy. These TEM studies extended the knowledge of structures and structural defects of this fascinating state of matter. However, freeze fractures were only carried out on liquid crystals which form around or below room temperature.