Field‐Induced Formation of the Polar SmCP Phase above the SmCP–Isotropic Transition

The field‐induced formation of an antiferroelectric “banana mesophase” (SmCP A ), which can be observed at up to 9 K above the transition SmCP → isotropic, is reported. This behavior may be due to the existence of ferroelectric clusters already in the isotropic liquid that are aligned by means of the external electric field. The Figure displays the field‐induced nucleation of the SmCP phase within the isotropic liquid.