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Abstract
Using photon correlation spectroscopy we have analyzed the order parameter dynamics in the SmA and SmC*α phases of 4-(1-methylheptyloxy-carbonyl) phenyl 4′-octyloxy biphenyl-4-carboxylate (MHPOBC) liquid crystal. In the SmA phase we observe two modes: a very fast soft mode that slows down with decreasing temperature and a very slow mode. In the SmC*α phase, another mode appears at intermediate relaxation rates, and is identified as the phase mode. The dispersion of the soft and phase modes is nearly flat in the SmC*α phase, indicating high chirality of this phase.