Physical properties of two systems with induced antiferroelectric phase

Abstract

Two ferroelectric three‐ring chiral esters, one with a partially fluorinated alkyl chain and another with a cyano terminal group, were mixed with a structurally similar compound having an alkyl terminal chain. In their mixtures an antiferroelectric phase was induced. The phase behaviour, spontaneous polarisation, tilt angle, smectic layer spacing and helical pitch of both systems were determined. The mechanism of the induction of an antiferroelectric phase is different in both cases, with highly tilted phases in former system and less tilted phases in the latter.

Keywords:

• antiferroelectric phase
• phase induction
• physical properties

Acknowledgments

This work was carried under European “SAMPA” Project and Polish‐French “Polonium” Project.