Temperature dependence of the rotatory power in the SmC* phase of DOBAMBC

A. Seppen , I. Muševič , G. Maret , B. Žekš , P. Wyder , R. Blinc

High resolution measurements of the temperature dependence of the optical rotatory power ρ (T) in the SmC* phase of the ferroelectric liquid crystal DOBAMBC are presented. Special emphasis is on the region near the SmC*-SmA transition. These data together with measurements of the pitch allow for a determination of the molecular tilt angle in the helicoidal structure. This is believed to be the first optical measurement of the tilt in an unperturbed SmC* phase, i.e. without unwinding of the helix. The measurements of the tilt angle in this case are compared with those on the unwound structure and are briefly discussed in connection with theory.

Mots clés: ferroelectric materials; liquid crystal phase transformations; optical rotation; organic compounds; smectic liquid crystals

Domaines: Articles anciens

A. Seppen, I. Muševič, G. Maret, B. Žekš, P. Wyder, et al.. Temperature dependence of the rotatory power in the SmC* phase of DOBAMBC. Journal de Physique, 1988, 49 (9), pp.1569-1573. ⟨10.1051/jphys:019880049090156900⟩. ⟨jpa-00210837⟩