Laterally Linked Liquid Crystal Dimers with Electrooptic Properties

• Published in: Chemistry of materials Vol. 10; no. 7; pp. 1805 - 1813
• Main Authors: Medeiros, David R, Hale, Michael A, Leitko, Jeffrey K, Willson, C. Grant
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 20.07.1998
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Liquid crystals; Optical materials; Optics; Physics; Temperature dependence; Smectic crystals; Phase transformations; Electro-optical effects; Optical materials; Experimental study; Liquid crystals; Polymorphism
• ISSN: 0897-4756; 1520-5002
• DOI: 10.1021/cm970764m

Unusual electric field induced phase transitions have been demonstrated in laterally linked smectic C liquid crystals that possess two chiral carbons. The materials have a rich polymorphism including an apparent antiferroelectric phase which occurs at temperatures immediately below the smectic A to C transition. Another tristable phase has been observed closer to the smectic C to crystal transition. The temperature-dependent electrooptic response and spontaneous polarization measurements for the title compounds are compared with those of monomeric liquid crystals of similar structure. The synthesis and characterization of these compounds are also presented in detail.