Theory of the Blue Phase of Cholesteric Liquid Crystals

We present a theory of the cholesteric blue phase, assuming a first-order cholesteric-isotropic transition. We show, on the basis of the Oseen-Frank elasticity equations, that the planar helix structure, generally associated with the cholesteric phase, becomes unstable at temperatures near the transition point. It transforms into a phase characterized by a network of disclination lines.