Electro-optical and dielectric characteristics of highly tilted ferroelectric liquid crystal material 4′-(3-pentanoyloxyprop-1-oxy)biphenyl-4-yl(S)-(+)-4-(1-methylheptyloxy) benzoate

The advancement on ferroelectric liquid crystals and their novel appliance is just changing from being largely focused on display devices and fast optical shutter elements to several other fields such as spatial light modulator, optical sensor, polarisation grating, photonic and optical devices. In the present work, we report the thermodynamical, textural, electrical and switching behaviour of a highly tilted FLC material. The studies have been performed on a 5 mu m thick planar oriented sample. The above material possess cholesteric (N*), chiral smectic C* (SmC*) and hexatic (SmB*) phases in cooling cycle as confirmed by optical, thermodynamic and dielectric studies. The spontaneous polarisation is highly temperature dependent and increases while cooling in the SmC* phase. The maximum value of spontaneous polarisation is similar to 117 nC cm(-2) at 76 degrees C. The switching time is of the order of a few milli seconds (similar to 1.3 ms). The conductivity (ionic and dipolar both) of the material has also been determined in all the above exhibited phases.

Automated summary

Research on ferroelectric liquid crystals has shifted from being mainly focused on display devices and fast optical shutter elements to various fields such as spatial light modulators, optical sensors, polarisation gratings, and photonic and optical devices. This study investigated the thermodynamic, textural, electrical, and switching behavior of a highly tilted FLC material, confirming the presence of cholesteric, chiral smectic C, and hexatic phases in cooling cycle with temperature-dependent spontaneous polarization and rapid switching time. Conductivity of the material in these phases was also determined.