Matter diffusion in hexagonal columnar phases

Abstract

Matter diffusion experiments are carried out in hexagonal columnar phases of mesogenic disk-like and polycatenar compounds. The diffusion characteristics of two dyes of different sizes diffused into these mesophases are determined by measuring the diffusion coefficients along the columns and perpendicularly to them. The nature of diffusion versus the structure of these mesophases is discussed in comparison with previous results obtained in nematic and smectic systems.