Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and electro-optical studies of phase behaviour of a chiral smectic liquid crystal

Abstract

Dielectric relaxation processes in various phases of a chiral smectic liquid crystal compound have been investigated over a wide range of frequencies from 10 to 300 kHz. Dielectric spectroscopy reveals the existence of two relaxation frequencies corresponding to the ferroelectric and ferrielectric Goldstone modes in the range of temperature where two different phases coexist. This phenomenon of coexistence is examined with respect to the cell thickness and reversal temperature.

Keywords:

• chiral liquid crystal
• dielectric spectroscopy
• electro-optical measurements
• coexistence phenomenon

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful for discussions with Prof. J.P. Marcerou.