Dielectric properties of 4′-n-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyls in their nematic phases

The principal dielectric constants of the pentyl to octyl derivatives of 4′-n-alkyl-4-cyanobiphenyl have been measured as functions of temperature in their nematic and isotropic phases. All the compounds exhibit a strong positive dielectric anisotropy due to the presence of a large dipole moment along the major molecular axis. The principal dielectric constantsε _‖ andε _⊥ as well as the anisotropy Δε decrease with increasing alkyl chain length. The experimental value of (ε_‖+2ε_⊥) decreases with decreasing temperature, and is throughout less than the extrapolated isotropic value, in conformity with the model of antiferroelectric short range order proposed by Madhusudana and Chandrasekhar.     

Electron beam irradiation induced changes in liquid-crystal compound 5CB

Electron beam irradiation studies on liquid crystal material 5CB have been carried out at a temperature where the compound exists in the isotropic liquid phase. In situ time-resolved spectroscopic characterization was carried out during the irradiation. Three different transients were observed during the 2-μs electron pulse. After about 50 μs, only one transient species was found to be present, which has an absorption peak at 360 nm. Radiolysed sample exhibits a broad absorption at ∼400 nm. The dielectric measurements show that even a low level of irradiation results in a dramatic increase in the component of dielectric permittivity normal to the long axes of the molecules ε_⊥^′, and a corresponding decrease in the dielectric anisotropy (Δε′=ε_∥^′−ε_⊥^′ ). These studies show that 5CB is prone to substantial radiation damage on exposure to the beam of high-energy electrons.     

Transport and dielectric properties of thin polycrystalline CoO films

Transport and dielectric properties of polycrystalline CoO films were studied as functions of the applied field, frequency and temperature. TheI–V plots showed that the Poole-Frenkel field emission mechanism is responsible for conduction at fields>10⁵ V/cm. The ac conductivity σ(ω), the imaginary part of the dielectric constantε ₂, and tan δ plots as functions of frequency revealed three dispersion regions. The σ(ω) andε ₂ frequency dependence indicates a non-adiabatic hopping of charge carriers at low frequencies and adiabatic hopping at high frequencies. The activation energy of a dielectric oscillator is 0.15 eV. Work supported by the Office of Naval Research.     

Anisotropy of the dielectric permittivity of Sn<Subscript>2</Subscript>P<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>6</Subscript> measured with light-induced grating techniques

We apply, for the first time to our knowledge, photorefractive grating spectroscopy to obtain not-yet-known data on the anisotropy of the dielectric permittivity of Sn₂P₂S₆. Two independent techniques are used, one based on measurements of the amplitude of the space-charge field grating as a function of grating spacing and the other based on measurements of the grating decay time, also as a function of grating spacing. Both techniques provide close values for the anisotropy, which appears to be well pronounced, a ratio ε_xx/ε_zz≈4 is revealed for two of the three independent components of the dielectric tensor. Our data also allow us to conclude that the charge mobility is nearly isotropic in the same plane, μ_xx/μ_zz≈1. Received: 2 December 2002 / Published online: 26 March 2003 RID="*" ID="*"Corresponding author. Fax: +380-44/265-2359, E-mail: odoulov@iop.kiev.ua     

A. C. behaviour and dielectric relaxation in indium oxide films

Vacuum deposited blackish indium oxide films (In-O) as well as the oxidised films (In₂O₃) were studied for their a.c. behaviour at different temperatures and at various film thicknesses in the audio frequency region. ε of In-O films was thickness dependent and also showed dielectric relaxation at lower frequencies due to the dipolar orientation arising from their non-stoichiometric nature. However at liquid nitrogen temperature region ε was thickness independent similar to the oxidised films which neither showed any relaxation effect nor any thickness dependent ε. The results have been discussed from the classical theory of dielectric polarisation.     

Dielectric relaxation behaviour of liquid crystals with opposite orientation of -COO ester group in molecular core

Dielectric measurements were performed for two smectogens, being structurally analogous with the opposite space orientation of the-COO ester group in the molecular core, using a HP4192A impedance analyser. Gold coated electrode cells of different thicknesses were used. Temperature dependences of the relaxation frequency fR and the inverse of the dielectric strength Δε′_┴ ⁻¹ obtained by fitting experimental values of perpendicular components, i.e., the real ε′_┴ and the imaginary ε″_┴ parts of the complex dielectric permittivity to the Cole-Cole equation as well as the investigation of modification of relaxation processes under bias were determined for the SmC_*, SmA_*, and N_* phases of studied compounds. One can conclude, on the basis of the above results, that dielectric relaxation processes observed by us in the studied compounds are similar to those of the soft and Goldstone mode typically observed by others in the SmC_*, SmA_*, and N_* phases. It is concluded from acomparison of their properties with other related compounds that the link between the biphenyl moiety and-COO ester group is closely related to the stability of smectic phases.     

Relaxation intensity in some polyacrylates

Empirical formula suggested by Kita and Koizumi for evaluation of relaxation intensity in a limited range of frequency around the relaxation frequency for the Cole-Cole type distribution has been tested for poly butyl acrylate (PBA), Poly butyl methacrylate (PBMA) and poly isobutyl methacrylate (PiBMA). The relaxation intensity Δε is expressed in terms ofε″ _M , the dielectric loss maxima andW, the frequency separation for half, two thirds or three quarters ofε″ _M , in the form Δε=ε″ _M /[(C ₁/W)+C ₂+C ₃ W], where the numerical constantsC ₁,C ₂,C ₃ are given for the respective type of relaxation.     

Second- and third-harmonic generations for a nondilute suspension of coated particles with radial dielectric anisotropy

We derive expressions for the effective nonlinear susceptibility tensors for both the second harmonic generation (SHG) and induced third harmonic generation (THG) of nonlinear composite materials, in which nondilute coated particles with radial dielectric anisotropy are randomly embedded in the linear host. Two types of coated particles are considered. The first is that the core possesses a second order nonlinear susceptibility and the shell is linear and radially anisotropic, while the second is that the core is linear with radial anisotropy and the shell has a second order nonlinear susceptibility. We observe greatly enhanced SHG and THG susceptibilities at several surface plasmon resonant frequencies. For the second model, due to the coating material being metallic, there exists two fundamental resonant frequencies ω_c1 and ω_c2, whose difference ω_c2-ω_c1 is strongly dependent on the interfacial parameter and the radial dielectric anisotropy. Furthermore, in both systems, the adjustment of the dielectric anisotropy results in larger enhancement of both SHG and induced THG susceptibilities at surface plasmon resonant frequencies than the corresponding isotropic systems. Therefore, both the core-shell structure and the dielectric anisotropy play important roles in determining the nonlinear enhancement and the surface resonant frequencies.     

Temperature characteristic of permittivity and splay elastic constant for fluorinated liquid crystal mixtures

This paper describes an experimental investigation for physical properties of fluorinated phenyl bicyclohexane liquid crystals (LCs) mixtures. Measurements are reported of the large anisotropic dielectric properties of two structurally similar LCs (1,2-difluoro-4-[trans-4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl)cyclohexyl] benzene and 1-cyano-2-fluoro-4-[trans-4-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl) cyclohexyl] benzene) mixed with a zero dielectric anisotropic LC (1-methyl-2-fluoro-4-[trans-4-(trans-4-ethylcyclohexyl) cyclohexyl] benzene). The results indicate that the mixing proportions strongly influence the dielectric constants along with the longer molecular axis. For two samples which is made from meta-para- or meta-fluorine substituted molecules, the temperature dependence of the anisotropic dielectric striking resemble that of a unitary compound with para-fluorine substituted. The threshold voltage of the mixtures relies on the element that possesses a large dielectric anisotropic. The mixing of the materials leads to a slight increase for splay elastic constants in an anti-parallel measurement cell.     

Specific features of the dielectric spectra of the liquid crystal 5CB in the decimeter wavelength range

The dispersion and anisotropy of the permittivity of the liquid crystal 5CB in the solid, nematic, and isotropic phases are investigated at frequencies ranging from 50 to 1000 MHz using discretely tunable hybrid microstrip cavities. Resonance features which grow with increasing temperature are observed in the dielectric spectra. It is found that the section of the dispersion which is due to oriented vibrations of the mesophase molecules covers the frequency range almost up to 300 MHz, and the resonances found could be due to conformational vibrations of the molecules. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 66, No. 4, 251–253 (25 August 1997)     

On the harmonic analysis of non-linear dielectric effects

We investigate the nonlinear dielectric effects in a polar viscous liquid, propylene carbonate, by analyzing the voltage and current traces obtained for a sinusoidal electric field at a frequency of 1 kHz and field amplitudes as high as 162 kV/cm. The main source of non-linear behavior results from the energy absorbed from the field and is understood quantitatively. However, there is a qualitative difference in the behavior of the field induced change, Δε^′′(E), and the third harmonic amplitude of the current, I_3ω. Although both Δε^′′(E) and I_3ω are considered reliable measures of non-linear behavior, we show here that the third harmonic signal reflects only those non-linear responses that are instantaneous on the time scale of the test frequency.     

Modified slot antennas on high-permittivity substrates for the millimeter-wave range

We consider the possibility of manufacturing a planar antenna on the dielectric layer with high permittivity, which is intended for a monolithic planar detector of the millimeter-wave range. The previous design of the slot antenna on a foil-cladded dielectric with low permittivity (ε = 2.2) is analyzed. The simulation results show that a transition from the substrate with low dielectric permittivity to a semi-insulating GaAs substrate (ε ≈ 13) with the directivity kept at a level of about ∼10 at the resonant frequency is possible for antennas with external sizes comparable with the wavelength. The parameters of the planar detectors on semi-insulating GaAs substrates in the 3-mm wavelength range (94–97 GHz) were measured. Directional patterns of the planar antennas at the resonant frequencies reasonably coincide with the calculated data. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 51, No. 10, pp. 864–871, October 2008.     

Equalization of reflectance of parallel-polarized electromagnetic plane waves at normal and oblique incidence of interfaces between transparent media and its use for measurement of the dielectric constant

A new angle of incidence of significance, when considering the reflection of electromagnetic waves at interfaces between transparent media, is defined. At this angle, denoted by φ_e, the reflection coefficient of parallel-polarized radiation is equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the reflection coefficient at normal incidence. No similar angle exists for the perpendicular polarization. If ε is the relative dielectric constant, i.e., the ratio of the dielectric constant of the medium of refraction to that of the medium of incidence, we find that tan φ_e=(ε²+ε)^1/2. Measurement of φ_e, by equalization of the absolute (intensity) reflectances at normal and oblique incidence, allows ε to be determined using the inverse relation ε=(tan²φ_e+1/4)^1/2−1/2.     

Studies on binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl with three 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes

Eighteen binary mixtures of 4-pentyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl (5OCB) and 4, 4′-di(alkoxy)azoxybenzenes (nOAB) with n = 5, 6, and 7 at different concentrations have been studied in detail. Over a wide concentration range, induced SmA phase was observed in all the mixtures except in one. In most of the mixtures, the refractive indices no, ne, and Δn lie between the values of pure components. The optical birefringence of the mixtures is found to decrease non-additively with concentration. The molecular polarizability anisotropy and the orientational order parameter <P₂> of the mixtures were calculated. Nature of variation of polarizability anisotropy with concentration is similar to that of Δn. In allmixtures <P₂> is more in smectic phase than in nematic phase and it also shows non-additive behaviour. Observed <P₂> values of the mixtures were compared with McMillan’s and Maier-Saupe theoretical values and good agreement is found in some mixtures. The transition temperatures obtained by fitting <P₂> data to McMillan’s theory agree with the observed values within a few degrees. Ratio of elastic constants K₃₃ and K₁₁ is determined for mixtures having nematic phase and found to diverge at T_NA transition point.     

Dielectric investigations in the nematic and hexatic smectic B phases of 4-hexyl-4′-[2-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)ethyl]-1,1′-biphenyl

Temperature-dependent dielectric characterization of 4-hexyl-4′-[2-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)ethyl]-1,1′-biphenyl (HIEB), which exhibits smectic B and nematic phases, has been carried out over the frequency range of 1 Hz to 10 MHz for homeotropic and planar alignment of sample molecules. This compound shows positive dielectric anisotropy (Δε = ε _∥ ? ε _⊥ > 0) in the nematic (N) phase. One mode of dielectric relaxation showing Arrhenius behaviour has been detected in the hexatic smectic B (SmB) phase. Various electrical parameters, namely, dielectric anisotropy, relaxation frequency and activation energy, have been determined in the N and SmB phases.     

Study of phase behavior in a system of linear hydrogen-bonded carboxylic acid homologues

The system of hydrogen-bonded liquid crystals formed from binary mixtures p-n-heptyloxybenzoic (I) acid and p-n-undecloxybenzoic (II) acid has been investigated by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scattering and dielectric measurements. The T–X phase diagram was obtained for this system. All mixtures show enantiotropic smectic and nematic phases. The crystalline phase represents a (α, β) solid solution. At the 2:1 ratio of I to II, an intermediate phase – co-crystal γ – is formed. The co-crystal γ possesses a much wider mesophase range than the corresponding initial components. In contrast to mixtures based on the solid solutions having a positive anisotropy, the co-crystal shows a negative dielectric anisotropy in the mesophase.     

Dielectric behaviour of ketone-amine binary mixtures at microwave frequencies

Values of dielectric constant (ε′) and loss factor (ε″) have been experimentally determined for binary liquid mixtures of ethyl methyl ketone+ethylenediamine and methyl isobutyl ketone+ethylenediamine at 9.44 GHz microwave frequencies at 30°C. The values ofε′ andε″ have been used to evaluate the molar polarization, apparent polarization and the excess permittivities. Excess refractive index, viscosity and activation energy of viscous flow have also been estimated. These parameters have been used to explain the formation of 1:1 complexes for both the systems.     

Dielectric and polar order behaviors of BaTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Bi(Mg<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>1/2</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

New perovskite solid solution ceramics of (1−x)BaTiO₃-xBi(Mg_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃ ((1−x)BT-xBMT, x≤0.09) were synthesized by the solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction studies have revealed a stable single perovskite structure for all samples. Dielectric measurements were carried out at different frequencies and temperatures. The polarization evolutions with temperatures were measured to investigate the ferroelectric properties. All the compositions show features of ferroelectrics with diffuse phase transition, though the temperature T _m of their dielectric constant maximum ε _m is frequency dependent. The dielectric constant peak ε(T) of (1−x)BT-xBMT ceramics become broad with increasing BMT content. During the temperature range of ε(T) peak summit, (1−x)BT-xBMT ceramics present quasi-linear dielectric phenomenon under high electric field with very high dielectric constant.     

Mesomorphic, dielectric, and optical properties of fluorosubstituted biphenyls, terphenyls, and quaterphenyls

Compounds with moderate and large negative dielectric anisotropy (Δɛ) are very attractive liquid crystal (LC) for vertical alignment mode (VA). Materials with such properties can be achieved by lateral substitution of a polar group into a mesogenic molecule. We synthesized some new LC materials with a negative value of Δɛ, a moderately high birefringence (Δn), and a low viscosity. The mesomorphic and physical behaviour of the novel biphenyls, terphenyls and quaterphenyls fluorosubstituted in the rigid core and also with fluorinated alkyl and alkoxy chains are investigated. The prepared series of four LC compounds are promising for new LC mixtures for various applications. Examples of nematic mixtures with Δɛ∼−3.25 will be presented.     

Nonlinear repolarization processes in ferroelectric liquid-crystal thin films

The dynamics of spontaneous polarization switching of the ferroelectric smectic C* in a variable electric field are examined theoretically and experimentally with the help of polarized light scattering. The observed effect of quasiresonant scattering both in freely suspended smectic films and in ordinary electro-optical cells is interpreted within the framework of the nonlinear model of isolated movable kinks in the director orientation distribution. It is shown that the maximum of the scattering intensity at the characteristic frequency of the applied electric field disappears at low temperatures and for small thicknesses of the smectic film. The dependence of the “resonant” frequency on the electric field amplitude, the proximity to the phase transition temperature, the film thickness and thickness of the ferroelectric domains, and also various material parameters is found. Estimates are made of such important characteristics as the dielectric anisotropy, viscosity, and elasticity of the smectic films. The effect of film thickness on the density distribution of the polar anisotropy energy in the film and on the corresponding shape of the moving orientation front within the film are discussed. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 111, 919–937 (March 1997)