Symmetry

Abstract

The concept of symmetry is equally important for understanding properties of individual molecules, crystals and liquid crystals [1]. The symmetry is of special importance in physics of liquid crystal because it allows us to distinguish numerous liquid crystalline phases from each other. In fact, all properties of mesophases are determined by their symmetry [2]. In the first section we consider the so-called point group symmetry very often used for discussion of the most important liquid crystalline phases. A brief discussion of the space group symmetry will be presented in Section 2.2.