SOCIETA’ ITALIANA CRISTALLI LIQUIDI
ITALIAN LIQUID CRYSTAL SOCIETY
Research Groups
ANCONA
PHOTOMAT
Organic Materials for Optical Information Processing and Storage
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Fisica e Ingegneria dei Materiali e del Territorio
Università di Ancona
Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona - Italy
Francesco Simoni
Group Leader:
Oriano Francescangeli
Staff:
Liana Lucchetti
Daniele E.Lucchetta
Vesna Stanic
Luigi Gobbi
Renato Marzocchini
Alessandro Manni
(Graduate Student)
Massimo Di Fabrizio
(Graduate Student)
Luigino Criante
(Undergraduate Student)
Francesco Simoni
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Oriano Francescangeli
[email protected]
Nonlinear
optical
properties
of
liquid
crystals
and polymers
Present subjects of
- Electro-optics of composite organic materials
Research:
- Structure and morphology of polymeric matrices with
nanosized domains of liquid crystals
- Light-induced structural modifications in liquid crystalline
materials
- Structure of new polymeric and liquid crystalline materials
- Real time holography for aberrations compensation
- Recording of permanent binary and holographic images for
optical storage applications
- Optical patterning on composite materials for telecom
applications
- Spatial Light Modulation for optical information processing
- Lab1 Sample preparation : standard apparatus for preparation
Laboratories and
and control of pre-aligned LC and composite samples
facilities:
- Lab2 Laser Optics 1 : CW laser sources, Argon laser
(2W@514nm), Diode pumped Nd laser (2W@532nm), HeNe laser (35mW@632nm)
- Lab3 Laser Optics 2 : Q-switched Nd-Yag laser
(200mJ@1063nm, 4ns pulse) with SHG and THG
- Lab4 X-Rays 1 : General Area Detector Diffraction System
- Lab5 X-Rays 2 : Powder Diffractometer equipped with stage for
Reflectometry and Grazing Angle Diffraction
- Lab6 SEM: Scanning Electron Microscope (Department Facility)
- Lab7 TEM: Transmission Electron Microscope (Department
Facility)
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Selected publications
of last three years:
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F.Simoni and O. Francescangeli – Effects of light on
molecular orientation of liquid crystals – INVITED PAPER
on JOURNAL of PHYSICS : Condens. Matter 11, R439
(1999)
I.C.Khoo, M.-Y.Shih, M.V.Wood, B.D.Guenther, P.H.Chen,
F.Simoni, S.Slussarenko, O.Francescangeli, L.Lucchetti –
Dye-Doped Photorefractive Liquid Crystals for Dynamic and
Storage Holographic Grating Formation and Spatial Light
Modulation – Proceedings of the IEEE, 87, 1897 (1999)
F.Simoni and O.Francescangeli – Optical Properties of
Polymer-dispersed Liquid Crystals – INVITED PAPER on
INT.JOURNAL of POLYMERIC MATERIALS 45, 381
(2000)
L.Lucchetti and F.Simoni – Coarsening and phase separation
in ultraviolet cure polymer dispersed liquid crystals JOURNAL of APPLIED PHYSICS 88, 3934 (2000)
E.Ouskova, D.Fedorenko, Yu.Reznikov, S.V.Shiyanovskii,
L.Su, J.L.West, O.V.Kuksenok, O.Francescangeli, F.Simoni –
Hidden Photoalignment of Liquid Crystals in Isotropic Phase
– PHYSICAL REVIEW E 63, 021701 (2001)
F.Simoni, L.Lucchetti, D.E.Lucchetta and O.Francescangeli –
On the origin of the huge nonlinear response of dye-doped
liquid crystals – OPTICS EXPRESS, 9, 85 (2001)
E.Ouskova, Yu.Reznikov, S.V.Shiyanovskii, L.Su, J.L.West,
O.Francescangeli, F.Simoni – Photoorientation of Liquid
Crystals due to Light Induced Desorption/Adsorption of Dye
Molecules on Aligning Surface – PHYSICAL REVIEW E 64,
051709 (2001)
L. Lucchetti, S. Di Bella and F. Simoni - Optical Storage of
Hidden Images in Ultraviolet-Cured Polymer Dispersed
Liquid Crystals - LIQUID CRYSTALS 29, 515 (2002)
L.Lucchetta, R.Karapinar, A.Manni and F.Simoni – Phaseonly modulation by nanosized polymer dispersed liquid
crystals - JOURNAL of APPLIED PHYSICS 91, 6060
(2002)
L.Lucchetti, D.E. Lucchetta, O. Francescangeli, and F.
Simoni “SINE: Surface Induced Nonlinear Effects”,
MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND LIQUID CRYSTALS
375, 641 (2002)
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BOLOGNA 1
Site and full address: (a) Dipartimento di Chimica Fisica e Inorganica
Universita' di Bologna,
Viale Risorgimento 4, I-40136 Bologna, Italy
home page: <http://www.fci.unibo.it/~bebo/z/index.html>
(b) Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Bologna,
Via Irnerio 46, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Claudio Zannoni
Group Leader:
Alberto Arcioni(a)
Staff:
Roberto Berardi(a)
Corrado Bacchiocchi(a)
Cesare Chiccoli (b)
Silvia Orlandi(a)
Luca Muccioli(a)
Paolo Pasini (b)
Matteo Ricci(a)
Claudio Zannoni
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Paolo Pasini
[email protected]
Present subjects of
• Computer Simulations of Liquid Crystals
Research:
o Lattice models are used to investigate bulk systems,
model displays, defects .We are now studying
nanoconfined systems, in particular the effects on order
and memory of silica particles or polymer fibrils dispersed
in nematics.
o Molecular resolution models are employed to study
various bulk phases and their transitions. In particular we
study the effect of changing molecular features (shape,
dipole, quadrupole etc.) on liquid crystal properties. We
use this to design molecular models for optimized or
novel mesophases. Recently we have succeeded, by
suitably combining repulsive and attractive interactions, in
simulating a thermotropic biaxial nematic and a
ferroelectric nematic designed from tapered molecules.
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Development of Theories and Data Analysis Methodologies for
the study of order and dynamics of liquid crystalline materials,
including polymers and membranes with Fluorescence
Depolarization, ESR, NMR, Dielectric Relaxation. E.g.
o Energy Transfer experiments are modeled using computer
simulations for rodlike and discotic systems to study the
effect of phase organization on Forster transfer..
o ESR is used to study probes in nematic with dispersed
aerosils and examine changes in order and dynamics.
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Laboratories and
facilities:
Group computational facilities:
• Silicon Graphics (SGI) Origin 200 system (12 processors (PE)): 4
R10000, 180 MHz PE, 512 Mb, 9Gb HD; 4 R10000, 220 MHz
PE, 1024 Mb, 9Gb HD; 4 R12000, 270 MHz PE, 2048Mb, 36Gb
HD.
• Silicon Graphics Origin 3800 (6 processors of the Cineca
installation totalling 128 R14000 500 Mhz, 1Gb memory PE)
• cluster Linux (20 CPU AMD Athlon 1200MHz),
• cluster Linux (9 CPU AMD Athlon 700MHz),
External computational facilities: access to the resources of
CINECA Supercomputing Centre (http:/www.cineca.it) based in
Bologna: SGI Origin 3800 (128 CPU MIPS R14K 500Mhz), IBM
SP4 (512 CPU POWER4 1100MHz), cluster Linux (128 CPU Intel
Pentium III 1133MHz)
Instrumental facilities:
• ESR: Bruker ESP300E spectrometer,
• Fluorescence: static (Perkin Elmer) and nanosecond time scale
dynamics (Edinburgh Instr.) Single Photon Counting apparatus.
Selected publications • P. Pasini, C. Chiccoli and C. Zannoni - Liquid crystal lattice
of last three years:
models I. Bulk systems, in Advances in the Computer
Simulations of Liquid Crystals - P. Pasini and C. Zannoni eds.,
Kluwer, Dordrecht, 99 - 119 (2000)
• P. Pasini, C. Chiccoli and C. Zannoni - Liquid crystal lattice
models II. Confined systems, in Advances in the Computer
Simulations of Liquid Crystals - P. Pasini and C. Zannoni eds.,
Kluwer, Dordrecht, 121 - 137 (2000)
• Brognara, P. Pasini and C. Zannoni - Rototranslational diffusion
of biaxial probes in uniaxial liquid crystal phases - J. CHEM.
PHYS. 112, 4836-4848 (2000)
• R. Berardi, S. Orlandi and C. Zannoni - Columnar phases and
field induced biaxiality of a Gay-Berne discotic liquid crystals PCCP 2, 2933-2942 (2000)
• T. Bellini, M. Buscaglia, C. Chiccoli, F. Mantegazza, P. Pasini
and C. Zannoni - Nematics with quenched disorder: what is left
when long range order is disrupted? - PHYS.REV.LETT.
85,1008-1011 (2000)
• R. Berardi and C. Zannoni - Do thermotropic biaxial nematics
exist? A Monte Carlo study of biaxial Gay-Berne particles - J.
CHEM. PHYS. 113, 5971-5979 (2000)
• Chiccoli, P. Pasini, G. Skacej, C. Zannoni and S. Zumer Dynamical and field effects in polymer dispersed liquid crystals:
Monte Carlo simulations of NMR spectra Carlo simulations of
PDLC - PHYS. REV. E 62, 3766-3774 (2000)
• E.E. Burnell, R. Berardi, R. T. Syvitski and C. Zannoni - Monte
Carlo simulations of zero electric field gradient liquid crystal
mixtures - CHEM. PHYS. LETT. 331, 455-464 (2000)
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Arcioni, C. Bacchiocchi, M. D’Elia, R. Tarroni and C. Zannoni Order and Mobility of the Fluorescent Probe 1,6Diphenylhexatriene in a Polyester Liquid Crystal Polymer MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 362, 279-288 (2001)
• Bacchiocchi, M. Brunelli and C. Zannoni - Energy transer and
orientational dynamics in isotropic and nematic phases. A
computer simulation approach - CHEM.PHYS.LETT. 336, 253261 (2001)
• Chiccoli, P. Pasini, S. Guzzetti and C. Zannoni - Computer
Simulations of Nematic Displays - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST.
360, 119-129 (2001)
• R. Berardi, M. Ricci and C. Zannoni - Ferroelectric nematic and
smectic liquid crystals from tapered molecules –
CHEM.PHYS.CHEM. 2, 443-447 (2001)
• Zannoni - Molecular design and computer simulations of novel
mesophases - J. Mater. Chem. 11, 2637 - 2646 (2001)
• Chiccoli, P. Pasini, G. Skacej, C. Zannoni and S. Zumer Inhomogeneous translational diffusion in polymer dispersed
liquid crystals: Monte Carlo simulations of NMR spectra - MOL.
CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 367, 2987-2997 (2001)
• Chiccoli, I. Feruli, P. Pasini and C. Zannoni - Computer
simulations and defects in confined liquid crystal lattice models,
in Defects in Liquid Crystals: Computer Simulations, Theory and
Experiments - O. Lavrentovich, P. Pasini, C. Zannoni, S. Zumer
eds., Kluwer, Dordrecht, 87-112 (2001)
• C. Chiccoli, Y. Lansac, P. Pasini, J. Stelzer and C. Zannoni Effect of surface orientation on director configurations in a
nematic droplet. A Monte Carlo simulation - MOL. CRYST.
LIQ. CRYST. 372, 157-165 (2001)
• R. Berardi, S. Orlandi, D. J. Photinos, A. G. Vanakaras and C.
Zannoni - Dipole strength effects on the polymorphism in polar
smectics - PCCP 4, 770-777 (2002)
• C. Chiccoli, P. Pasini, G. Skacej, C. Zannoni and S. Zumer Polymer network-induced ordering in a nematogenic liquid: A
Monte Carlo study - PHYS. REV. E 65, 051703-1, 051703-7
(2002)
• T. Bellini, M. Buscaglia, C. Chiccoli, F. Mantegazza, P. Pasini
and C. Zannoni - Nematics with quenched disorder: how long
will it take to heal? - PHYS. REV. LETT. 88, 245506-1 - 2455064 (2002)
• Arcioni, C. Bacchiocchi, L. Grossi, A. Nicolini and C. Zannoni ESR studies of order and dynamics in a nematic liquid crystal
containing a dispersed hydrophobic aerosil - J.PHYS. CHEM.
(2002)
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BOLOGNA 2
Site and full address: Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna
Dipartimento di Chimica Organica “A. Mangini”
Via S. Donato 15, 40127 Bologna (Italy)
Giovanni Gottarelli
Group Leader:
Gian Piero Spada, Professor
Staff:
Stefano Masiero, Research Associate
Silvia Pieraccini, Post-Doc
Tatiana Giorgi, Graduate Student
Riccardo Lobruto, Graduate Student
Stefano Lena, Graduate Student
Giovanni Gottarelli
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Gian Piero Spada
[email protected]
Our group is interested in many subjects concerning the study of
Present subjects of
molecular and supramolecular chirality. In the field of Liquid
Research:
Crystals we are interested in:
a) the study of the induced cholesteric mesophases to obtain
information about the chirality of the inducer; in most favourable
cases, this type of research allows to obtain information about the
absolute configuration and/or the preferred conformation of a chiral
dopant dissolved in nematic phases;
b) the self-recognition and self-assembly of guanine derivatives;
these compound self-assemble to give different supramolecular
objects whose structure depends on the nature of the compound, the
solvent used, the temperature and the presence of salts; these
supramolecular objects may form lyomesophase in organic solvents;
c) the synthesis of chiral bis(azo) derivatives as potential molecular
wires and photosensitive liquid crystals.
Organic Syntesis Lab; Instrumental facilities (including 400 MHz
Laboratories and
NMR, FT-IR, Circular Dichroism Spectropolarimeter, Optical
facilities:
Microscopy).
Selected publications • G. Proni, G. Gottarelli, P. Mariani and G. P. Spada - The
of last three years:
Chirality of the Cholesteric Phase of DNA and G-Wires: Its
Connection to Their Molecular Structures - CHEM. EUR. J. 6,
3249 (2000)
• G. Gottarelli, S. Masiero, E. Mezzina, S. Pieraccini, J. P. Rabe, P.
Samorì and G. P. Spada - The self-assembly of lipophilic
guanosine derivatives in solution and on solid surface - CHEM.
EUR. J. 6, 3242 (2000)
• G. Proni, G. P. Spada, P. Lustenberger, R. Welti and F. Diederich
- Conformational analysis in solution of C2-symmetric 1,1'binaphthyl derivatives by circular dichroism spectroscopy and
cholesteric induction in nematic mesophases - J. ORG. CHEM.
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65, 5522 (2000)
S. Pieraccini, G. Gottarelli, P. Mariani, S. Masiero, L. Saturni,
and G. P. Spada - Columnar Lyomesophases Formed in
Hydrocarbon Solvents by Chiral Lipophilic Guanosine-Alkali
Metal Complexes – CHIRALITY 13, 7 (2001)
E. Mezzina, P. Mariani, R. Itri, S. Masiero, S. Pieraccini, G. P.
Spada, F. Spinozzi, J. T. Davis and G. Gottarelli - The SelfAssembly of a Lipophilic Guanosine Nucleoside into Polymeric
Columnar Aggregates: the Nucleoside Structure Contains
Sufficient Information to Drive the Process Towards a Strikingly
Regular Polymer - CHEM. EUR. J. 7, 388 (2001)
S. Zahn, G. Proni, G. P. Spada and J. W. Canary Supramolecular Detection of Metal Ion Binding: Ligand
Conformational Control of Cholesteric Induction in Nematic
Liquid Crystalline Phases - CHEM. EUR. J. 7, 94 (2001)
P. Samorì, S. Pieraccini, S. Masiero, G. P. Spada, G. Gottarelli
and J. P. Rabe - Controlling the Self-Assembly of a
Deoxyguanosine on Mica - COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B 23,
283 (2002)
G. Proni and G. P. Spada - Doped Nematic Phases: a Tool for
Amplifying and Detecting Chirality – ENANTIOMER 6, 171
(2001)
I. Manet, L. Francini, S. Masiero, S. Pieraccini, G. P. Spada and
G. Gottarelli - An ESI-MS and NMR Study of the Self-Assembly
of Guanosine Derivatives - HELV. CHIM. ACTA 84, 2096
(2001)
A. di Matteo, S. M. Todd, G. Gottarelli, G. Solladié, V. E.
Williams, R. P. Lemieux, A. Ferrarini and G. P. Spada Correlation Between Molecular Structure and Helicity of Induced
Chiral Nematics in Terms of Short-Range and ElectrostaticInduction Interactions - J. AM. CHEM. SOC. 123, 7842 (2001)
R. Rinaldi, E. Branca, R. Cingolani, S. Masiero, G. P. Spada and
G. Gottarelli - Photodetectors Fabricated From a Self-Assembly
of a Deoxyguanosine Derivative - APPL. PHYS. LETT. 78, 3541
(2001)
T. Giorgi, F. Grepioni, I. Manet, P. Mariani, S. Masiero, E.
Mezzina, S. Pieraccini, L. Saturni, G. P. Spada and G. Gottarelli Gel-like Lyomesophases Formed in Organic Solvents by SelfAssembled Guanine Ribbons - CHEM. EUR. J. 8, 2143 (2002)
8
COSENZA 1
LIQUID CRYSTALS GROUP
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Fisica and INFM COSENZA- Università della
Calabria, Ponte P. Bucci cubo 33B – 87036 Rende (CS) - Italy
Roberto Bartolino
Group Leader:
Cesare Umeton (full professor)
Staff:
Lev M. Blinov (full professor)
Andrei Th. Ionescu (full professor)
Riccardo Barberi (associated professor)
Gabriella Cipparrone (associated professor)
Nicola Scaramuzza (associated professor)
Carlo Versace (associated professor)
Alfredo Mazzulla (contract researcher)
Giuseppe Strangi (contract researcher)
Michele Giocondo, (Researcher - Spin Off)
Federica Ciuchi, (Researcher - Spin Off)
Maria Iovane (Post Doc)
Vincenzo Bruno (PhD student)
Roberto Caputo (PhD student)
Giovanni Carbone (Ph.D student)
Antonio Checco (Ph.D student)
Antonio De Luca (PhD student)
Giuseppe Lombardo (Ph.D student)
Marco Morabito (PhD student)
Pasquale Pagliusi (PhD student)
Grazia Russo (PhD student)
Alessandro Veltri (PhD student)
Bruno Zappone (Ph.D student)
Stefano D’Elia (graduate student)
Manuela Malara (Graduate student)
Salvatore Marino (graduate student)
Clementina Provenzano (graduate student)
Massimo Sposato (Technician - Spin Off)
Alfredo Pane (Technician - Spin Off)
Bruno De Nardo (Technician)
Carmine Prete (Technician)
Roberto Bartolino
Contact persons:
Tel. +39-098449-3902/6122
Fax +39-0984 494401
Email: [email protected]
Cesare Umeton
Tel. +39-098449-6117/6152
Fax +39-0984 494401
Email: [email protected]
9
Present subjects of
Research:
Riccardo Barberi
Tel. +39-098449-6118/6150
Fax +39-0984 494401
Email: [email protected]
Gabriella Cipparrone
Tel. +39-0984 496148
Fax +39-0984 494401
Email: [email protected]
Nicola Scaramuzza
Tel. +39-098449-6113/6151
Fax +39-0984 494401
Email: [email protected]
Carlo Versace
Tel 39+098449/6147 /6116
Fax 39+098449/4401 /6149
Mobile 3333048546
E.mail [email protected]
Photorefractive effects in liquid crystalline and polymeric materials.
Materials for optical storage: PDLC, dye doped systems, azo
compound. Photo-addressable materials. Surface relief grating
formation.
Switchable holographic gratings in composite materials (PDLC)
using alternative recording techniques
Polarization and intensity holography.
L.-B. films and thin films for polarimetric applications.
Nonlinear dynamics and transition to chaos by means experiments in
liquid crystals - Techniques for the control of the chaos.
Diffraction gratings in multicomponent LC
Spatial solitons in LC
LC based devices for opto-electronics
Picosecond optics in LC
Optics and elasticity of liquid crystals
Electrohydrodynamics of liquid crystals
Dynamic light scattering
Interation between liquid crystals and mixed conductors.
Piro- and piezo-electricity in composite materials.
Flexoelectricity in liquid crystals.
The study of stable ultrathin film assemblies with specific ordering at
the supramolecular level and anisotropic microemulsion. Control of
organisation at nanoscale, in fact, can lead to smart materials with
unique physical properties. A wide class of low molecular mass and
polymer materials will be used, like liquid crystals, side-chain
polymers, azo-dye derivatives, hybrid block copolymers. Films and
microemulsions of these materials are of fundamental importance in
the context of the physics of low-dimensional and self-organising
systems. Such highly ordered organic systems are of major interest in
areas like information storage, non-linear and integrated optics,
display applications. Prepared as thin films these materials may serve
10
as smart command surfaces and anisotropic coatings for electrooptical devices based on liquid crystals re-alignment and the
breakdown of the continuous rotational symmetry of nematic liquid
crystals in microemulsion may induce interesting optical, electrooptical and mechanical properties;
The development of bistable nematic devices working with surface
bifurcations. We are here in a domain where academic research on
modelization combined with basic experiments can lead to very
important results to master the mechanisms implied on the proposed
new family of surface controlled bistable displays. For all nematic
electro-optical devices which use anchoring bifurcation, the "write"
and "erase" mechanisms imply a delicate coupling of the surface
anchoring bifurcation with shear flow: They are still not wellunderstood, thus an effort is necessary to model the surface
bifurcation dynamics in presence of shear flows. The common
previous experimental studies of Orsay and Cosenza on surface
bifurcation of nematic anchoring have lead to two main patents on
new surface controlled electro-optical devices [1,2]. These patents
take full benefits of the fast surface relaxation dynamics. Their
characteristic address time is very fast, in the range of 1-10
microseconds.
Two Argon Ion lasers
Laboratories and
laser Nd-Yag Q-switched (II e III harmonics)
facilities:
Photopolarimeter
Half leaky guided mode set-up.
Nd:YAG picosecond laser
Ar+ laser with UV lines
Light beating spectroscopy (Brookhaven instruments)
Photopolarimetry (home built four detector polarimeter)
Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (Wollam M2000F)
UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer CARY 5E with LABSPHERE
I and II harmonic spectrometric apparatus
Laboratory for fundamental researches with polarizing optical
microscopes with video acquisition, temperature control and
fotometric acquisition; fast electronics for electro-optics; 2 SPM
microscopes (AFM contact and non contact, STM, EFM); fast
spectrofotometer with optical fibers for real time observations;
equipped optical benches; He-Ne laser sources.
Technological laboratory with a large clean room equipped with
surface treatments for liquid crystals alignment (Langmuir-Blodgett
films, polymer coating, SiO evaporations, spin coating, rubbing
machine, ...); photolitography on glass plates-, facilities to build very
thin cells down to 1.5 micron thickness.
Selected publications • G. Cipparrone, A. Mazzulla and G. Russo - Diffraction grating in
of last three years:
PDLC recorded by means of polarization holographic technique APPL. PHYS.LETT. 78, 1186 (2001)
• G. Cipparrone, A. Mazzulla P. Pagliusi A.V. Sukhov and
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R.F.Ushakov - Transient photoinduced current in dye-doped
polymer and PDLC - J.O.S.A. B 18, 182 (2001)
V. Carbone, G. Cipparrone and G. Russo - Homoclinic Gluing
bifurcations during the light induced reorientation in Nematic
Liquid Crystal films - PHYS. REV. E 63, 051701 (2001)
L.M. Blinov, S. P. Palto, S.G. Yudin, M.P. De Santo, G.
Cipparrone A. Mazzulla and R. Barberi - Polar diffraction
gratings made by spatially periodic phoyopoling LangmuirBlodgett films - APPL. PHYS.LETT. 80, 16 (2002)
P. Pagliusi and G. Cipparrone - Surface-induced photorefractivelike effect in pure liquid crystals - APPL. PHYS.LETT 80, 168
(2002)
G. Cipparrone, A. Mazzulla and L. M. Blinov - Permanent
polarization gratings in photosensitive Langmuir-Blodgett films
for polarimetric applications - J.O.S.A. B 19, 1157 (2002)
G. Cipparrone, G. Russo, C. Versace, G. Strangi and V. Carbone
- Polarimetric study of the optically induced dynamical behavior
in nematic liquid crystal films - OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS
173, 1 (2000)
G. Strangi, C. Versace and N. Scaramuzza - Surface Anchoring
Energy Modulation in Liquid Crystal Cells With Mixed
Conductor Boundary Layers - APPLIED PHYSIC LETTERS. 78,
2455 (2001)
S.Peruzzi, E.Bontempi, C.Versace and L.E.Depero - Liquid
Crystal/ITO/Glass System Characterization Obtained by X-Ray
reflectivity Measurements - MOL.CRYST.LIQ.CRYST. 372, 339
(2001)
N. Scaramuzza, G. Strangi and C. Versace - Electro-Optic
Behavior of a Non Polar Nematic Liquid Crystal and Its Mixture
- LIQUID CRYSTALS 28(2), 307 (2001)
A.L. Alexe-Ionescu, A. Th. Ionescu, N. Scaramuzza, G. Strangi,
C. Versace, G. Barbero and R. Bartolino - Liquidcrystal/electrochromic interface: A p/n-like electro-optic junction
- PHYSICAL REVIEW E 64, 011708-1 (2001)
V. Bruno, N. Scaramuzza and U. Zammit - Study of Critical
Behavior of the Thermal Parameters in the Phase Transition in
Mesogenic Materials - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 372, 201
(2001)
N.V. Tabiryan and C. Umeton - Measurement of Energy Density
and Duration of Ultrashort Incoherent Light Pulses with the Aid
of Liquid Crystals - OPTICS COMM. 175, 425 (2000)
R. Caputo, A.V. Sukhov and C. Umeton - Experimental studies
of initial stage of PDLC curing caused by UV interference pattern
- MOL. MATERIALS 12, 169 (2000)
R. Caputo, A.V. Sukhov, C. Umeton and R.F. Ushakov Formation of a Grating of Submicron Nematic Layers by
Photopolymerization of Nematic-Containing Mixtures - J.E.T.P.
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91, 1190 (2000)
M. Peccianti, A. De Rossi, G. Assanto, A. De Luca, C. Umeton
and I.C. Khoo - Electrically assisted self-confinement and
waveguiding in planar nematic liquid crystal cells - APPL.
PHYS. LETT. 77, 7 (2000)
R. Caputo, A. V. Sukhov, C. Umeton and R. F. Ushakov Dynamics of Mass Transfer Caused by the Photoinduced
Spatially Inhomogeneous Modulation of Mobility in a
Multicomponent Medium - J.E.T.P. 92, 28 (2001)
R.Caputo, A.V.Sukhov, N.V.Tabiryan, C.Umeton and
R.F.Ushakov - Mass transfer processes induced by
inhomogeneous photo-polymerisation in a multycomponent
medium - CHEM. PHYS. 271, 323 (2001)
R.Caputo, A.V.Sukhov, N.V.Tabiryan, C.Umeton and
R.F.Ushakov - A new kind of photo-polymerisation induced
diffraction gratings in liquid crystalline composite materials MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 372, 263 (2001)
L.M.Blinov, R.Barberi, M.V.Kozlovsky, V.V.Lazarev and M.P.
De Santo - Optical anisotropy and four possible orientations of a
nematic liquid crystal on the same film of a photochromic chiral
smectic polymer - J. NONLINEAR OPT. PHYS. &
MATERIALS 9, 1-10 (2000)
L.M. Blinov, R.Barberi, S.P. Palto, M.P. De Santo and S.G.
Yudin - Switching of a ferroelectric polymer Langmuir-Blodgett
film studied by Electric Field Microscopy - JOURNAL OF
APPLIED PHYSICS 89, 3960 (2001)
M. Iovane, A.L. Alexe Ionescu, R. Barberi, J.J. Bonvent and M.
Giocondo - A tool to control the nematic surface alignment:
anchoring competition - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 360, 61
(2001)
S. Soria, D. Schuhmacher, G. Marowsky, R. Barberi, F. Ciuchi,
S. Paus and T. Rasing - Probing Alignment of Liquid Crystals on
Silane Derivatives by Second Harmonic Generation - J.
NONLINEAR OPT. PHYS. & MATERIALS 10, 133 (2001)
A.L. Alexe-Ionescu, R. Barberi, M. Iovane and A.Th. Ionescu Statistical approach on the orienting photopolymer - nematic
liquid crystal anchoring energy - PHYS. REV E 65, 11703
(2001)
L. M. Blinov, S. P. Palto, S. G. Yudin, M. P. De Santo, G.
Cipparrone, A.Mazzulla and R. Barberi - Polar diffraction
gratings made by spatially periodic photopoling LangmuirBlodgett films - APPL. PHYS. LETT. 80, 16 (2002)
V. V.Lazarev, R. Barberi, M. Iovane,L.Papalino and L.M.Blinov
- Dynamics of liquid crystal azimuthal anchoring at a
poly(vinylcinnamate) interface neasured in situ during polarized
UV light irradiation - LIQUID CRSYTALS 28, 273 (2002)
13
COSENZA 2
Site and full address: Università della Calabria, Dip. Chimica
I-87030 Arcavacata (CS) - Italia
Mauro Ghedini
Group Leader:
Prof. Alessandra Crispini
Staff:
Prof. Daniela Pucci
Dott. Iolinda Aiello
Dott. Giovanna Barberio
Dott. Anna Bellusci
Dott. Davide Dattilo
Dott. Anna Rita Grisolia
Dott. Massimo La Deda
Prof. Daniela Pucci
[email protected]
Contact persons:
- Coordination chemistry in metal-mediated formation of liquid
Present subjects of
crystals Synthesis and thermal, diffractometric and spectroscopic
Research:
characterization of luminescent metallomesogens.
- Studies of supramolecular mesogenic associations.
- NMR Spectrometer
Laboratories and
- X-Ray single crystal and powder diffractometers
facilities:
- Optical Polarizing Microscope with microfurnace
- IR and UV/VIS Spectrophotometers
- Spectrofluorimeter
- CHNS Elemental Analyzer
- Differential Scanning Calorimeters
- Spinner for spin coating
Selected publications
• M. Ghedini, D. Pucci, A. Crispini, G. Barberio, Oxidative
of last three years:
Addition To Cyclometalated Azobenzene Platinum(II)
Complexes: A Route To Octahedral Liquid Crystalline
Materials, ORGANOMETALLICS 18, 2116 (1999)
• F. Barigelletti, M. Ghedini, D. Pucci, M. La Deda, A
Mercurated Azobenzene Complex For Photoswitching
Between Trans And Cis Form, CHEM. LETT., 297 (1999)
• M. Ghedini, D. Pucci, A. Crispini, I. Aiello, F. Barigelletti, A.
Gessi, Dinuclear Cyclopalladated Azobenzene Complexes: A
Comparative Study On Model Compounds For
Organometallic Liquid Crystalline Materials, APPL.
ORGANOMETAL. CHEM. 13, 565 (1999)
• I. Aiello, M. Ghedini, M. La Deda, D. Pucci, O.
Francescangeli, Synthesis, Mesomorphic And Spectroscopic
Properties Of Bis-[(P-Tetradecylphenylazo)(N-Alkoxy)]Substituted
N,N'-Salicylidenediaminato
Nickel(Ii)
Complexes, EUR. J. INORG. CHEM., 1367 (1999)
• A. Crispini, D. Pucci, I. Aiello and M. Ghedini - Syntehsis
14
•
•
•
And Crystal Structure Of Dinuclear Cyclopalladated 1,2- And
1,3-Bridged Squarato Complexes - INORG. CHIM. ACTA.
304, 219 (2000)
M. Ghedini, D. Pucci and G. Barberio - Coordinatively
Saturated
Cyclometalated
Platinum(IV)
Azobenzene
Complexes: Synthesis And Mesomorphic Behaviour - LIQ.
CRYST. 27, 1277 (2000)
D. Pucci, O. Francescangeli and M. Ghedini - Heteroligand
Palladium Complexes With One Or Two Chiral Centres MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST., 00 (2002)
O. Francescangeli, C. Ferrero, D. Pucci and M. Ghedini Variable Temperature Exafs Investigations In The Liquid
Crystalline Phase Of The Cyclopalladated 4-4’Bis(Hexyloxy)Azoxybenzene Acetylacetonate Complex MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST., 00 (2002)
15
COSENZA 3
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Chimica
Università della Calabria
Via P. Bucci, 87036 Rende
Attilio Golemme
Group Leader:
Roberto Termine
PhD Student
Staff:
Mara Talarico
Research Fellow
Attilio Golemme
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Tel. +39 0984 492016 - Fax +39 0984 492044
- Photorefractivity in liquid crystals
Present subjects of
Research:
- Set-up for Multiwave-mixing
Laboratories and
facilities:
Selected publications
• B. Kippelen, A. Golemme, E. Hendrickx, J.F. Wang, S.R.
of last three years:
Marder and N. Peyghambarian - Photorefractive Polymers
and Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystals - In “Field
Responsive Polymers”, I.M. Khan and J.S. Harrison Eds.,
ACS , Washington (1999)
• R. Aloe, I. Nicotera and A. Golemme - Azimuthal Anchoring
Energy of a Chiral Nematic in Cylindrical Cavities - APPL.
PHYS. LETT. 75, 343 (1999)
• A. Golemme, B. Kippelen and N. Peyghambarian - On the
Mechanism of Orientational Photorefractivity in Polymer
Dispersed Nematics - CHEM. PHYS. LETT. 319, 655 (2000)
• R. Termine, B. C. De Simone and A. Golemme Photorefractive Chiral Smectic A Phases - APPL. PHYS.
LETT. 78, 688 (2001)
• R. Termine and A. Golemme - Polymer-Dispersed Chiral
Smectic A with Photorefractive Properties - OPT. LETT. 26,
1001 (2001)
• R. Termine and A. Golemme - Photorefractive Index
Modulation in Chiral Smectic Phases - J. PHYS. CHEM. B
106, 4105 (2002)
16
COSENZA 4
Site and full address: University of Calabria, Department of Chemistry
Via Pietro Bucci, Cubo 15C, Arcavacata di Rende, 87036 CS
Prof. Giuseppe Antonio Ranieri
Group Leader:
Prof. Mario Terenzi
Staff:
Prof. Luigi Coppola
Dott. Raffaella Gianferri
Dott. Isabella Nicotera
Dott. Cesare Oliviero
Prof. Giuseppe Antonio Ranieri
Contact persons:
E-mail address: [email protected]
Phone number: 0984/492021
The research field of the Group is the structural characterization and
Present subjects of
the study of physical-chemical properties of Liquid Crystal systems.
Research:
The NMR methods and particularly the PFG-NMR and rheological
techniques are used to this purpose.
Recently the systems Gemini (16-4-16)/water, STDC/water, Pluronic
L64/p-xylene/water, C12E5/water and CTAB/water were investigated
by NMR and rheology techniques. Additionally the study of the
mechanical and conductivity properties of the electrolytes gel
membranes based on PAN, ethylene carbonate and Lithium
perclorate was performed with the support of the CIPE Project.
NMR 80 MHz, NMR 15 MHz, DSC, Optical microscopy,
Laboratories and
Conductimeter, Tensiometer, strain controlled Rheometer.
facilities:
Selected publications •
of last three years:
•
•
•
•
R.Muzzalupo, G.A.Ranieri, G.Golemme and E.Drioli - SelfDiffusion Measurements of Organic Molecules in PDMS and
Water in Sodium Alginate Membranes - J. APPL. POL.
SCIENCE 74, 1119 (1999)
L.Coppola, C.Oliviero, U.Olsson and G.A.Ranieri Characterization of a Reverse Hexagonal Lyomesophase by a
PGSE-NMR Water Self-Diffusion Study - LANGMUIR 16(9),
4180 (2000)
G.Gente, C.La Mesa, R.Muzzalupo and G.A.Ranieri - Micelle
Formation and Phase Equilibria in Water-TrifluoroethanolFluorocarbon Mixtures - LANGMUIR 16(21), 7914 (2000)
L.Coppola, C.Oliviero, L.Pogliani, G.A.Ranieri and M.Terenzi A Self-Diffusion Study in Aqueous Solution and Lyotropic
Mesophases of Amphiphilic Block Copolimers - COLLOID
POLYM. SCI. 278(5), 434 (2000)
L.Coppola, A. Gordano, A. Procopio and G. Sindona - Phase
equilibria and Physical-Chemical Properties of Sugar-Based
Surfactants in Aqueous Solutions - COLLOIDS AND
17
•
•
•
SURFACES A, 196 (2/3), 175 (2001)
G.A. Ranieri, L.Coppola, G.Celebre and C.Oliviero - The
Structural Fingerprint in Lyotropic Mesophases by the Use of
Inverse Laplace Transform Applied to PGSE-NMR Data - MOL.
CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 371, 121 (2001)
C.Oliviero, L.Coppola, C.La Mesa, G.A.Ranieri and M.Terenzi Gemini Surfactant-Water Mixtures: some Physical-chemical
Properties - COLL. AND SURF. A 201, 247 (2002)
I.Nicotera, G.A.Ranieri, M.Terenzi, A.V.Chadwick and
M.I.Webster - A study of stability of plasticized PEO electrolytes
- SOLID STATE IONICS 146,143 (2002)
18
MILANO
Complex Fluids Laboratory c/o L.I.T.A.
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Chimica e Biochimica Medica, Università di Milano
Via Fratelli Cervi 93, 20090 Segrate (Milano)
Tommaso Bellini
Group Leader:
Francesco Mantegazza
[email protected]
Staff:
Marco Buscaglia
[email protected]
Marco Caggioni
[email protected]
Tommaso Bellini
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Tel: +39-02-503 30353 - Fax: +39-02-503 30365
- Liquid crystal in disordered systems
Present subjects of
- Optical waveguides with liquid crystalline core
Research:
Experimental set up for measurements of time resolved electric
Laboratories and
birefringence, operating in a wide range of electric field frequency.
facilities:
He-Ne laser source and remote control of the whole set up.
Experimental set up for measurements of static and dynamic
scattered light. Optical fiber collection of the light diffused at
various angles. Remote control of temperature and electric field
applied to the sample.
Microscopy system with temperature controlled cell. Polarized
microscope for transmission measurement. Inverted microscope for
reflection measurements. Remote control of ccd acquisition of
images, temperature, and applied electric fields.
Selected publications
• M. Buscaglia, T. Bellini, V. Degiorgio, F. Mantegazza and F.
of last three years:
Simoni - Non-linear dynamics of the electro-optic response of
confined liquid crystals - EUROPHYSICS LETTERS 48, 634
(1999)
• T. Bellini, M. Buscaglia, C. Chiccoli, F. Mantegazza, P.
Pasini and C. Zannoni - Nematics with quenched disorder:
what is left when long range order is disrupted? - PHYSICAL
REVIEW LETTERS 85, 1008 (2000)
• C. Chiccoli, P. Pasini, C. Zannoni, T. Bellini and F.
Mantegazza - Computer simulations of nematic ordering with
random disorder - MOLECULAR CRYSTALS AND
LIQUID CRYSTALS 352, 217 (2000)
• T. Bellini, L. Radzihovsky, J. Toner and N.A. Clark Universality and scaling in the disordering of a smectic liquid
crystal – SCIENCE 294, 1074 (2001)
19
NAPOLI
Site and full
address:
Group Leader:
Staff:
Optics of Liquid Crystals
Dipartimento di Scienze Fisiche, Complesso di Monte S. Angelo
Via Cintia 80126 Napoli
prof. Enrico Santamato, prof. Giancarlo Abbate
Lorenzo Marrucci
Domenico Paparo
Bruno Piccirillo
Angela Vella
Gabriella Cerrone
Carlo Manzo
Antigone Marino
Enrico Santamato
[email protected]
Giancarlo Abbate
[email protected]
Angular momentum transfer; anisotropic optical tweezers; photosensitive
materials and ultra-high nonlinearity; surface and interface investigation
with SHG; microscopic and chemico-physical investigation of dye-host
interaction; opto-electronic devices and integrated optical devices using
LC; LC in confined systems, waveguides and optical fibres; photonic
band-gap crystals and nanostructures with LC.
Pulsed laser lab (ps laser and OPG); CW lasers lab (nonlinear optics,
Laboratories
polarimetry, interferometry); electro-optics and integrated optics lab (at
and facilities:
visible and IR C band wavelengths); sample preparation room.
Selected
• M. Kreuzer, F. Hanisch, R. Eidenschink, D. Paparo and L. Marrucci publications of
Large deuterium isotope effect in the optical nonlinearity of dye-doped
last three years:
liquid crystals - PHYS. REV. LETT. 88, 013902 (2002)
• G. Cerrone, L. Marrucci, D. Paparo, S. Santamato and S. Solimeno Probing Interfacial Properties by Optical Second Harmonic Generation
- OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING 37/5, 601-610 (2002)
• B. Piccirillo, C. Toscano, F. Vetrano and E. Santamato - Orbital and
spin photon angular momentum transfer in liquid crystals - PHYS.
REV. LETT. 86, 2285 (2001)
• L. Marrucci, D. Paparo, M. Vetrano, M. Colicchio, E. Santamato and
G. Viscardi - Role of dye structure in photoinduced reorientation of
dye-doped liquid crystals - J. CHEM. PHYS. 113, 10361 (2000)
• G. Scalia, D. S. Hermann, C. Pitois, F. De Marco, G. Abbate, K.
D’havé, M. Lindgren and A. Hult - Novel Passive Polymer
Waveguides Integrated with Electro-Optically Active Ferroelectric
Liquid Crystals - OPT. ENG. 40, 2188 (2001)
• L. Petti, G. Abbate, W. J. Blau, D. Mancarella and P. Mormile Enhancement of the Thermo-optical Properties in Dye-doped PDLCs MOL. CRYST AND LIQ. CRYST. 375, 785 (2002)
• L. Sirleto, G. Coppola, A. Cutolo, A. D'Agata, J. M. Otón, G.C.
Righini and G.Abbate - Electro-optical switch and continuously
tunable filter based on a Bragg grating in planar waveguide with a
liquid crystal overlayer - OPTICAL ENGINEERING (July 2002)
Contact
persons:
Present subjects
of Research:
20
PARMA
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Fisica, Università degli Studi di Parma
Parco Area delle Scienze 7/A, 43100 PARMA
Marco P. Fontana
Group Leader:
T. Berzina
Staff:
L. Cristofolini
P. Camorani (Ph D student)
S. Sottini
(Ph D student)
L. Mussi
(Undergraduate)
P. Bonaretti
(Undergraduate)
Marco Fontana
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Phone: 0521 905222 (switch) 905240 (office) 905262 (lab)
Fax 0521 905223
- Photosensitive liquid crystalline azo-polymers in bulk
Present subjects of
- Langmuir Blodgett films and superlattices of azopolymers, also as
Research:
command surfaces in low molecular weight LC cells.
- Ellipsometric, AFM and SNOM characterization of LB films of
photosensitive polymers, and optical writing on the sub-micron
scale by SNOM microscopy in pump-probe.
Complex
Molecular Systems and Langmuir Blodgett Films
Laboratories and
laboratories located at the Physics Department, Parma University,
facilities:
plus regular access to the ESRF synchrotron and ILL nuclear reactor
facilities in Grenoble (F) through long standing research
collaborations.
Selected publications
• L. Cristofolini, S. Arisi and M. P. Fontana - Glass transition
of last three years:
and relaxation following photo-perturbation in thin polymeric
films. - PHYS. REV. LETTER 85, 4912 (2000)
• L. Cristofolini, S. Arisi and M. P. Fontana - Surface
anchoring and optically induced molecular motion in thin
azobenzene polymeric films. - SYNTH. METALS 124, 151
(2001)
• L. Cristofolini, M.P. Fontana, M. Laus and B. Frick Photoinduced dynamics in a photosensitive side chain
polymeric liquid crystal by quasielastic and inelastic neutron
scattering - PHYS. REV. E 64, 061803 (2001)
• P. Camorani, L. Cristofolini, G. Galli and M. P. Fontana Photoinduced Morphological Changes and Optical Writing in
a Liquid Crystalline Polymer on the Micron and Sub-Micron
Scale - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 375, 175 (2002)
• L. Cristofolini,T. Berzina, M.P. Fontana and O. Konovalov Structure and stability of molecular layers of a photosensitive
azo-polyacrylate by x-rays reflectivity and GID. - MOL
CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 375, 689 (2002)
21
PAVIA 1
SMMM, Soft Matter Mathematical Modelling
Site and full address: Department of Mathematics, University of Pavia & INFM
Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy
http://smmm.unipv.it
Epifanio G. Virga
Group Leader:
Dr. Riccardo Rosso
Staff:
Dr. Fulvio Bisi
Dr. F. Bisi
[email protected]
Contact persons:
- Defect dynamics in liquid crystals
Present subjects of
- Defect structure
Research:
- Order reconstruction
- Molecular biaxiality
- Stability of lipid membranes
- Anisotropic capillarity in wetting
Laboratories and
facilities:
Selected publications • G.G. Peroli and E.G. Virga - The role of boundary conditions in
of last three years:
the annihilation of nematic point defects - PHYS. REV. E 59,
3027 (1999)
• G.E. Durand and E.G. Virga - Hydrodynamic model for surface
nematic viscosity - PHYS. REV. E 59, 4137 (1999)
• R. Rosso and E.G. Virga - Adhesive borders of lipid membranes
- PROC. R. SOC. LONDON A 455, 4145 (1999)
• S. Kralj, E.G. Virga and S. Žumer - Biaxial torus around nematic
point defects - PHYS. REV. E 60, 1858 (1999)
• P.L. Maffettone, A.M. Sonnet and E.G. Virga - Shear-induced
biaxiality in nematic polymers - J. NON-NEWTONIAN FLUID
MECH. 90, 283 (2000)
• R. Rosso and E.G. Virga - Squeezing and stretching of lipid
membranes - J. PHYS. A: MATH. GEN. 33, 1459 (2000)
• A.M. Sonnet and E.G. Virga - Dilution of nematic surface
potentials: Statics - PHYS. REV. E 61, 5401-4506 (2000)
• J. Bajc, G. Guidone Peroli, E.G. Virga and S. Žumer - Dynamics
of nematic point defects in a capillary with tilted boundary
conditions - LIQUID CRYST. 29, 213-129 (2002)
• R. Rosso, A.M. Sonnet and E.G. Virga - Evolution of vesicles
subject to adhesion - PROC. R. SOC. LOND. A 456, 1523 (2000)
• S. Kralj and E.G. Virga - Universal fine structure of nematic
hedgehogs - PHYS.A: MATH. GEN. 34, 829 (2001)
• G.E. Durand, A.M. Sonnet and E.G. Virga - Dilution of nematic
surface potentials: Relaxation dynamics - PHYS. REV. E 62,
3694 (2000)
• M. Schadt and E.G. Virga - Corrugations on the free surface of
22
•
•
•
•
•
•
nematic liquid crystal layers - JPN. J. APPL. PHYS. 39, 6637
(2000)
R. Rosso and E.G. Virga - Stability of lipid bridges - J. PHYS. A:
MATH. GEN. 34, 11107 (2001)
A.M. Sonnet and E.G. Virga - Dynamics of dissipative ordered
fluids - PHYS. REV. E 64, 031705 (2001)
P. Biscari and R. Rosso - Inclusions embedded in lipid
membranes - J. PHYS. A: MATH. GEN. 34, 439 (2001)
R. Rosso and M.C.P. Brunelli - Forces on nematic disclinations
with optimal core - CONTINUUM MECH. THERMODYN. 13,
383 (2001)
R. Rosso - Asymptotic evolution of lipid vesicles INTERFACES AND FREE BOUNDARIES 3, 345 (2001)
R. Rosso, A.M. Sonnet and E.G. Virga - Dynamics of kinks in
biological membranes - CONTINUUM MECH. THERMODYN.
14, 127 (2002)
23
PAVIA 2
Site and full address: Physics Department – University of Pavia
via A. Bassi 6 - I - 27100 Pavia, Italy
Web page: http://decux1.pv.infn.it/~romano
Silvano ROMANO
Group Leader:
Staff:
Silvano ROMANO
[email protected]
Contact persons:
tel +39 - 0382 - 507487 fax +39 - 0382 - 507563
SR works on computer simulation of simple mesogenic systems,
Present subjects of
producing Liquid Crystalline behaviour, in some cases the models
Research:
also allow for torsional degrees of freedom and their coupling
with orientational correlations.
Library, some computing power.
Laboratories and
facilities:
Selected publications • G.R. Luckhurst and S. Romano - Computer simulation study of a
of last three years:
nematogenic lattice model based on an elastic energy mapping of
the pair potential - LIQ. CRYST. 26, 871 (1999)
• S. Romano and V. A. Zagrebnov - Comments on the paper ”Long
range order on the classical bilinear-biquadratic exchange
hamiltonian”, Akinori TANAKA and Toshihiro IDOGAKI, J.
Phys. Soc. Jpn. Vol. 67, p. 604 (1998) - J. PHYS. SOC. JPN. 68,
2146 (1999)
• A.V. Zakharov, S. Romano and A. Maliniak - Statisticalmechanical study of the pair correlations for the dipolar GayBerne model - PHYS. REV. E 60, 1142 (1999)
• R. Hashim and S. Romano - Computer simulation study of a
nematogenic lattice model based on the Nehring-Saupe
interaction potential - INT. J. MOD. PHYS. B 13, 3879 (1999)
• S. Romano - Computer simulation study of a nematogenic latticegas model - INT. J. MOD. PHYS. B 14, 1195 (2000)
• V. Popa-Nita and S. Romano - Nematic-Smectic A phase
transition in porous media - CHEM. PHYS. 264, 91 (2001)
• S. Romano - Mean field, two-site cluster, and computer
simulation study of a nematogenic lattice-gas model - INT. J.
MOD. PHYS. B 15, 259 (2001)
• S. Romano - Computer simulation study of a nematogenic latticegas model based on the Nehring-Saupe interaction potential MOD. PHYS. LETT. B 15, 137 (2001)
24
PISA 1
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Pisa
Via Buonarroti 2, Pisa
Sandro Faetti
Group Leader:
Prof. Leone Fronzoni , Students
Staff:
Sandro Faetti
[email protected]
Contact persons:
I - EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF INTERFACES.
Present subjects of
Experimental investigations of surface properties of Liquid Crystals
Research:
with special interest in photosensitive surfaces, surface memory
effects, and director gliding. In the last years we have developed
optical and dielectric methods to measure the anchoring energy and
the dynamic behaviour of the surface director angle.
II - STUDY OF ELECTROHYDRODYNAMIC INSTABILITIES.
We investigate the transitions from ordered patterns to turbulence
states. These transitions are characterized
by
anomalous
diffusion and Brownian fractionary motion. Liquid Crystals is a
suitable medium in order to study spatio-temporal chaos . Now, we
are interested to quantify this phenomena with the use of
theoretical approach based on the idea of Diffusion Entropy and
Kolmogorov Complexity. The experiments consist on realizing
spatial instabilities in Nematic Liquid Crystals and on collecting
images and time series as function of a control parameter as the
electric field applied to the samples. The data are analyzed by
means suitable algorithm in order to characterize the dynamical
transitions.
III - THEORETICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON SURFACE
ELASTICITY. We have investigated the role of the surface elastic
constants on the macroscopic behaviour of liquid crystals and we
have proposed a new form of the surface free energy that takes into
account also for the effects of the curvature of the surfaces.
Laboratory for optical and dielectric measurements. Electromagnet,
Laboratories and
Polarizing Microscopes with transmitted and reflected light, high
facilities:
sensitivity CCD Camera, optical and electronic devices.
Selected publications
• S. Faetti - The effects of curvature on nematic liquid crystals
of last three years:
confined in a cylindrical cavity - PHYS. LETT. A 237, 264
(1998)
• M. Faetti and S. Faetti - Splay-bend surface elastic constant of
nematic liquid crystals: a solution of the Somoza-Tarazona
paradox - PHYS. REV. E 57, 6741 (1998)
• S. Faetti and M. Nobili - An accurate optical method for
measuring the azimuthal anchoring energy of nematic liquid
crystals - LIQUID CRYSTALS 25, 487 (1998)
• S. Faetti, L.R. Evangelista and G. Barbero - Elastic-effects of
25
•
•
•
•
long-range quadrupolar interactions in nematic liquid crystals
- PHYS. REV. E 58, 7465 (1998)
S. Faetti, M. Nobili and I. Raggi - Surface reorientation
dynamics of nematic liquid crystals - EUROP. PHYS. J. B 11,
445 (1999)
S. Faetti - On the validity of the elastic expansion of the free
energy of nematic liquid crystals - PHYS. LETT. A 255, 165
(1999)
L. Fronzoni, P. Grigolini and S. Montangero - Non-estensive
Thermodynamics and stationary processes of localization
Chaos - SOLITON AND FRACTALS 11, 2361 (2000)
L. Fronzoni - Pattern induced by parameter modulation in
spatiotemporal chaos. The application of mathematics to the
Science of Nature: Critical Moments an Aspects. KLUWER.
Academic Plenium Publisher. New York (2001)
26
PISA 2
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Fisica
Via Buonarroti 2, 56126 PISA
Marco Giordano
Group Leader:
Laura Andreozzi
Staff:
Massimo Faetti
Diego Palazzuoli
Laura Andreozzi
[email protected]
Contact persons:
- Relaxation processes, physical ageing and optical nanowriting
Present subjects of
in liquid crystal polymers
Research:
ESR
spectrometers
Laboratories and
- DSC
facilities:
- Physical ageing
- Viscosimetry
- Microwaves lab.
Selected publications
• Laura Andreozzi, Massimo Faetti, Marco Giordano, Diego
of last three years:
Palazzuoli and G. Galli - An ESR study on the dynamics
heterogeneity in a nematic polymer induced by thermal
annealing in the isotropic melt - MACROMOLECULES 34,
7325. (2001)
• Laura Andreozzi, Massimo Faetti, Marco Giordano, Massimo
Hvala, G. Galli and M. Laus - Enthalpy relaxation at the glass
transition in a Side chain LCP for opticl data storage - MOL.
CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 372, 229 (2001)
• Laura Andreozzi, Massimo Faetti, Marco Giordano, Diego
Palazzuoli and G. Galli - An ESR study on the dynamics
heterogeneity in a nematic polymer induced by thermal
annealing in the isotropic melt - MACROMOLECULES 34,
7325. (2001)
• Laura Andreozzi, M.Faetti, P. Camorani and Diego
Palazzuoli - Optical Bit Stability And Relaxation Processes In
A Liquid Crystal Polymer With A Photosensitive Azo Dye
Molecule As Side Group - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 375,
129 (2002)
• Laura Andreozzi, Massimo Faetti, Marco Giordano and
Diego Palazzuoli - A calorimetric study of structuralrelaxation in the glassy state of a liquid crystalline polymer PHIL.MAG. B 82, 397, (2002)
• Laura Andreozzi, M. Bagnoli, Massimo Faetti, Marco
Giordano and Diego Palazzuoli - Decoupling from structural
relaxation of short and long time dynamics of a paramagnetic
tracer dissolved in a liquid crystalline polymer - PHIL.MAG.
B 82, 383, (2002)
27
PISA 3
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale
Università degli Studi di Pisa,
Via Risorgimento, 35 - 56126 Pisa
Prof. Carlo Alberto Veracini
Group Leader:
D. Catalano (Researcher)
Staff:
M.Geppi
(Researcher)
M. Cifelli
(PhD Student)
L. Chiezzi
(PhD Student)
V. Domenici (PhD Student)
C.A.Veracini
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Tel: 050-918266 - Fax: 050-918260
NMR of Liquid Crystals, Liquid Crystals Polymers, Solid State
Present subjects of
NMR of Polymers, Drugs and Biological Compounds
Research:
Three NMR spectrometers: Stelar100, Varian VXR 300, Varian
Laboratories and
Infinity Plus 400 for Solid State NMR
facilities:
Selected publications • C. Forte, M. Geppi, A. Triolo, C.A. Veracini and G. Visalli - A
1
of last three years:
H, 13C solid state NMR investigation of the structure and
molecular dynamics of hydrogenated oligocyclopentadiene - J.
PHYS. CHEM. B 104, 510 (2000)
• R.Y. Dong, C.R. Morcombe, L. Calucci, M. Geppi and C.A.
Veracini - Conformational Dynamics of a metallomesogen
studied by 2H NMR Spectroscopy - PHYS. REV. E 61, 1559
(2000)
• N. Costantini, S. Capaccioli, M. Geppi and G. Ruggeri Characterisation of electrochemically synthesised alkylpyrrole
intrinsically conducting polymers - POLYMERS FOR
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES 11, 27 (2000)
• M. Geppi, A.M. Kenwright and B.J. Say - Methods for
correlating T1ρ and FID components in wideline 1H NMR studies
of motionally heterogeneous polymer systems - SOLID STATE
NMR 15, 195 (2000)
• D. Catalano, M. Cavazza, L. Chiezzi, M. Geppi and C.A.
Veracini - 2H-NMR spectroscopy of Liquid Crystals: structure
and orientational order of a chiral smectogen in its A, C* and J*
phases - LIQ. CRYST. 27, 621 (2000)
• R.Y. Dong, M. Cheng, K. Fodor-Csorba and C.A. Veracini Rotational dynamics of a chiral mesogen by 2H NMR study: can
it be anomalous? - LIQ. CRYST. 27, 1039 (2000)
• D. Catalano, M. Cifelli, K. Fodor-Csorba, E. Gacs-Baitz, M.
Geppi, A. Jakli and C.A. Veracini - Microscopic organization and
tilt angle in Smectic A and Smectic C phases: Characterization
and Orientational order by 2H-NMR and Electric Polarization
28
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
measurements - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 351, 245 (2000)
D. Catalano, M. Cifelli, M. Geppi and C.A. Veracini Investigation of the dynamics of two chiral smectogens by means
of 2H NMR - J. PHYS. CHEM. A 105, 34 (2001)
L. Calucci and M. Geppi - The CAGE software: a tool for a
critical approach of diffusional models to 2H spin-lattice
relaxation in liquid crystals - J. CHEM. INF. COMP. SCI. 41,
1006 (2001)
R. Pignatello, M. Ferro, G. De Guidi, G. Salemi, M.A. Vandelli,
S. Guccione, C. Forte, M. Geppi and G. Puglisi - Preparation,
characterisation and photosensitivity studies of solid dispersions
of Diflunisal and Eudragit RS100 and RL100 - INT. J.
PHARM. 218, 27 (2001)
M. Geppi, S. Pizzanelli and C.A. Veracini - Phenyl ring dynamics
in a liquid crystal polymer through 2H NMR spectroscopy CHEM. PHYS. LETT. 343, 513 (2001)
D. Catalano, M. Cifelli, V. Domenici, K. Fodor-Csorba, R.
Richardson and C.A. Veracini - 2H NMR and SAXS of a
ferroelectric liquid crystal: unwinding of the ferroelectric chiral
helix by high magnetic fields - CHEM. PHYS. LETT. 346, 259
(2001)
C. Forte, M. Cifelli, M. Geppi and C.A. Veracini - Dynamics of a
liquid crystal in its smectic A phase from angle dependent
deuterium spin relaxation measurements - MOL. CRYST. LIQ.
CRYST. 372, 81 (2001)
L. Chiezzi, K. Fodor-Csorba, G. Galli, B. Gallot, S. Pizzanelli
and C.A. Veracini - Partially deuterated liquid crystal polymers:
structure and orientational order by X-ray diffraction and 2H
NMR - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 372, 69 (2001)
M. Geppi, S. Pizzanelli, C.A. Veracini, C. Cardelli, E. Tombari
and P. LoNostro - Investigation of the solid state behaviour of a
semi-fluorinated n-alkane by means of NMR, calorimetric and
dielectric techniques - J. PHYS. CHEM. B 106, 1598 (2002)
E. Barmatov, L. Chiezzi, S. Pizzanelli and C.A. Veracini - Order
and dynamics of a series of side chain liquid crystal copolymers
throught 2H NMR spectroscopy - MACROMOLECULES 35,
3076 (2002)
L. Chiezzi, V. Domenici, M. Geppi, C.A. Veracini, and R.Y.
Dong - Internal and overall molecular dynamics in a chiral
smectogen through 2H NMR relaxation - CHEM. PHYS. LETT.
358, 257 (2002)
J. Godward, E. Ciampi, M. Cifelli and P.J. McDonald Multidimensional Imaging Using Combined Stray Field and
Pulsed Gradients - J. OF MAGN. RESON. 155, 92 (2002)
29
PISA 4
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Chimica e Chimica Industriale
Università di Pisa
Via Risorgimento 35
56126 Pisa, Italy
Prof. Emo Chiellini, Prof. Giancarlo Galli
Group Leader:
Dr. Salvatore D'Antone
Staff:
Prof. Emo Chiellini
[email protected]
Contact persons:
(tel +30-050-918299, fax +39-050-28438)
Prof. Giancarlo Galli
[email protected]
(tel +30-050-918272, fax +39-050-28438)
Liquid crystalline polymers: synthesis, characterization, and
Present subjects of
application:
Research:
Chiral liquid crystalline polymers for electro-optics and photonics
Photoresponsive liquid crystalline polymers.
Self-assembling polymers and block copolymers
Polymers from banana monomers
Polymers for alignment layers if liquid crystals
Chemistry laboratory fully equipped for organic synthesis and
Laboratories and
characterization of monomers and polymers
facilities:
Characterization laboratory of liquid crystalline properties, including
equipment for testing some of and their materials properties: optical
microscopy, calorimetry and thermal analysis, dynamic-mechanical
analyzer, thermo-mechanical analyzer, extruder
Selected publications • Y.Hepuzer, I.E.Serhatli, Y.Yagci, G.Galli and E.Chiellini - The
of last three years:
synthesis of liquid crystalline copolymers with block copolymer
grafts - MACROMOL. CHEM. PHYS. 202, 2247 (2001)
• C.Cesarino, L.Komitov, G.Galli and E.Chiellini - Sign reversal of
the dielectric anisotropy in the chiral nematic phase of a
copolysiloxane - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 372, 217 (2001)
• L.Andreozzi, M.Faetti, M.Giordano, D.Palazzuoli and G.Galli An ESR study on the dynamics heterogeneity in a nematic
polymer induced by thermal annealing in the isotropic melt
MACROMOLECULES 34, 7325 (2001)
• L. Andruzzi, F. D'Apollo, G. Galli and B. Gallot - Synthesis and
structure characterization of liquid crystalline polyacrylates with
unconventional
fluoroalkylphenyl
mesogens
MACROMOLECULES 34, 7707 (2001)
• L. Andruzzi, E. Chiellini, G. Galli, X. Li, S. H. Kang and C. K.
Ober - Engineering low surface energy polymers through
molecular design: Synthetic routes to fluorinated polystyrenebased block copolymers - J. MATER. CHEM. 12, 1684 (2002)
30
ROMA
Site and full address: Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome “La
Sapienza”, National Institute for the Physics of Matter (INFM)
Via Eudossiana, 18 – 00184 Rome – Italy.
Paolo Maltese
Group Leader:
Antonio d’Alessandro, Associate Professor
Staff:
Romeo Beccherelli, CNR (Research National Council) Researcher
Rita Asquini, Post-Doc
Antonio d’Alessandro
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Tel. +390644585459, fax +39064742647
- Ferroelectric liquid crystals and polymer dispersed liquid crystal
Present subjects of
devices for display applications and for photonic switching:
Research:
fabrication and characterisation
- Conductive polymers for sensor applications
- Optical waveguides: fabrication and characterisation
Optoelectronic laboratory for electro-optic characterization of LC
Laboratories and
devices in free space and waveguiding configurations (laser sources,
facilities:
poalarized microscopes, optical bench, arbitrary waveform generator)
Fabrication laboratory: photolithography, thin film deposition,
reactive ion etching
Selected publications • F. Campoli, R. Beccherelli, A. d’Alessandro, V. Ferrara and P.
of last three years:
Maltese - Passive matrix SSFLC display with analogue grey levels
using PTFE alignment films – DISPLAYS 20, No.4, 191 (1999)
• G. Padeletti, S. Pergolini, G. Montesperelli, A. d’Alessandro, F.
Campoli and P. Maltese - Evaluation of structural and adhesive
properties of Nylon and PTFE alignment films by means of
atomic force microscopy - APPLIED PHYSICS A, MATERIALS
SCIENCE & PROCESSING 71, 571 (2000)
• R. Asquini and A. d’Alessandro - Realisation and characterisation
of a ferroelectric liquid crystal bistable optical switch - Accettato
per la pubblicazione sulla rivista MOLECULAR CRYSTALS
LIQUID CRYSTALS 372, 353 (2001)
• E. Batella, A. d’Alessandro and M. Warenghem - Extension of
phase modulation ellipsometry to measure refractive indices of
liquid crystals - Accettato per la pubblicazione sulla rivista
MOLECULAR CRYSTALS LIQUID CRYSTALS 372, 275
(2001)
• R. Asquini and A. d’Alessandro - BPM analysis on an integrated
optical switch using polyleric optical waveguides and SSFLC at
1.55 um - MOLECULAR CRYSTALS LIQUID CRYSTALS 375,
243 (2002)
31
TORINO
Liquid Crystal Group
Site and full address: Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Torino
c. Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10125 Torino (Italy)
Claudio Oldano
Group Leader:
Giovanni
Barbero
Staff:
Marta Becchi
Claudio Oldano
Silvia Ponti
Amelia Sparavigna
Alfredo Strigazzi
Piera Taverna
Laura Trossi
Giovanni Barbero
[email protected]
Contact persons:
Alfredo Strigazzi
[email protected]
Optics of crystals; optics of chiral and complex media; effective
Present subjects of
medium theory; elastic theory of nematic liquid crystals, surface
Research:
effects in liquid crystals; influence of the ions on the surface
anchoring energy; image processing in microscopy, bidimensional
instability in ferroelectric liquid crystals, chiral superstructures in
media with nonchiral molecules, banana_like oxadiazolic smectics.
Laboratorio cristalli liquidi (Microscopia ottica, spettroscopia
Laboratories and
dielettrica,
Calorimetria
differenziale,
Rumore
termico),
facilities:
Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Torino; Orientationally
Ordered Media Laboratory (OOM-Lab) as a Consortium IOFRAN,
NIOPIK, CRF, POLITO.
Selected publications • S. Ponti, C. Oldano and M. Becchi, P. Valabrega and L. Trossi of last three years:
Optical properties of short pitch cholesteric liquid crystals LIQUID CRYSTALS 28, 591 (2001)
• S. Ponti and C. Oldano - Acoustic wave propagation in
structurally helical media - PHYS. REV. E, DOI: 10.1103 /
PHYS.REV. E 63, 011703 (2000)
• S. Ponti, C. Oldano and M. Becchi - Bloch wave approach to the
optics of crystals - PHYS. REV. E 64, 021704 (2001)
• B. Gallot, P. Allia, P. Taverna, L. Trossi, C. Cucinelli and S.
Ponti - Liquid crystal comb polymer with polar mesogenic and
aliphatic side chains: part I – preparation and structural properties
- LIQ. CRYST. 29 (2002)
• P. Allia, C. Cucinelli, S. Ponti, P. Taverna, L. Trossi and B.
Gallot - Liquid crystal comb polymer with polar mesogenic and
aliphatic side chains: part II - noise of the scattered light - 29
LIQ. CRYST. (2002)
• M. Becchi, S. Ponti, A. Strigazzi, V. Chigrinov and S.I. Torgova -
32
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Bidimensional instability in antiferroelectric liquid crystals BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS (2002)
Sparavigna - Texture transitions as order transitions in nematic
liquid crystals - RECENT. RES. DEVEL. APPLIED PHYS. 4,
91-111 (2001)
G. Barbero and A.K. Zvezdin - Thermal renormalization of the
anchoring energy of nematic liquid crystals - PHYS. REV. E 62,
6711 (2000)
L.R. Evangelista and G. Barbero - Adsorption phenomenon and
external field effect on an isotropic liquid containing ions PHYS. REV. E 64, 021101 (2001)
G. Barbero and D. Olivero - Ions and nematic surface energy:
Beyond the exponential approximation for the electric field of
ionic origin - PHYS. REV. E 65, 031701 (2002)
S.I. Torgova, M.P. Petrov and A. Strigazzi - Textures of
homologous 4-n-alkyloxybenzoic acids: spontaneous chirality
and surface memory - LIQUID CRYSTALS 28, 1439 (2001)
L.A. Karamysheva, I.F. Agafonova, S.I. Torgova, B.A. Umanskii
and A. Strigazzi - Liquid Crystalline Pyridine-Containing 1,2,4Oxadiazoles - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 364, 547 (2001)
S.I. Torgova, L.A. Karamysheva, T.A. Geivandova and A.
Strigazzi - Banana-Shaped 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Analogues of 1,3,4Oxadiazoles - MOL. CRYST. LIQ. CRYST. 365, 99 (2001)
33