Dataset associated with 'New insights into the nature of semi-soft elasticity and “mechanical-Fréedericksz transitions” in liquid crystal elastomers'

This dataset provides results of characterisation of a low glass transition temperature acrylate-Liquid Crystal Elastomer. Opto-mechanical and thermal experiment led to the calculation of a range of values for the step length anisotropy, r, of the polymer conformation. Values were calculated using the theiries of Verywey, Warner and Terentjev, and Bladon, Warner and Terentjev. Their disagreement implies the currently accepted theory of LCEs is not yet completed. The key observation of these results is that it is possible to mechanically change the order parameter of the LCE. Using geometrical arguments and bierfringence textures, we infer it is possible to obtain a state of negative liquid crystal ordering.