Abstract
Investigations of the electrooptical properties of the nonpolar discotic compound hexakis((4-octylphenyl)ethynyl)benzene, which exhibits a nematic ND-phase, are reported. Negative optical and dielectric anisotropy is established. The sample shows an electric field induced bend deformation with a threshold of 3 V, this being independent of sample thickness. At 85°C the value of the bend elastic constant K3 is determined to be 2. 1 × 10−12 N. For viscosity, a value of about 20 Poise is estimated from the rise time of the electrooptical response.