Structure of mesophases of a rigid comb-like polymer

The transition of the melt of a rigid comb-like polymer to the liquid crystalline state of the nematic type is investigated by the methods of statistical thermodynamics. It is shown that unlike the LC states formed by low molecular weight mesogens where the nematic phase of the "light axis" type is always thermodynamically stable the molecules of a comb-like polymer may form stable phases of the "light axis" and "light plane" type of a biaxial nematic phase. The possibility of realizing the last two phases governed by cooperative effects is greater the more side mesogenic pendants per Kuhn segment of the main chain.