Experimental characterization of hexatic smectic phases through electro-optic studies and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy |
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Authors: | S Kundu T Ray S K Roy Corresponding author R Dabrowski |
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Institution: | 1. Department of Spectroscopy , Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science , Jadavpur, Kolkata-700?032, India;2. Institute of Chemistry , Military University of Technology , 00-908 Warsaw, Poland |
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Abstract: | The electro-optic and complex dielectric behaviour of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal 4-(1-methylheptyloxycarbonyl)phenyl 4′-(n-butanoyloxyprop-1-oxy)biphenyl-4-carboxylate, having chiral SmCA* and hexatic smectic phases, have been investigated. Complex dielectric permittivities were measured as a function of frequency, d.c. bias field and temperature. Spontaneous polarization was measured by the current reversal technique; tilt angle was measured under a polarizing microscope using a low frequency electric field. The electro-optic properties and dielectric behaviour of the material are compared with results obtained by DSC and polarizing optical microscopy. Dielectric relaxation processes in SmCA* and hexatic smectic phases were determined. The dielectric strength at the SmCA* to hexatic smectic phase transition is discussed in terms of coupling between the long range bond orientational order and smectic C director. It seems from the results of spontaneous polarization and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy that the material might possess an additional phase between the SmCA* and hexatic smectic I* phases. |
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Keywords: | liquid crystal shutter device polymer-dispersed liquid crystal composites interface photoluminescence electro-optic switching |
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