Abstract
The static dielectric constant is calculated as a function of temperature using a mean field model close to the smectic A-smectic C* transition for the ferroelectric liquid crystal 4-(3-methyl-2-chlorobutanoyloxy)-4′-heptyloxybiphenyl (A7). This calculation of the dielectric constant is performed for the pure optically active compound (Tc = 73.4°C) and the temperature range is determined for a first-order smectic A-smectic C* transition from the mean field model. Our predicted values describe adequately the observed behaviour of the dielectric constant close to the smectic A-smectic C* transition and also the temperature range in the smectic A phase of A7.
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