Investigation of ferroelectric modes in liquid crystals using dielectric and optical methods

Optical methods of detection of ferroelectric modes are described in detail and compared with the dielectric method. The advantages of both methods are discussed. It is concluded, that the dielectric method is simple whereas the optical method is more sensitive. The most important feature of the optical methods is lack of the background steaming from non-ferroelectric polarization mechanisms. It enables the univocal interpretation of experimental results. The relaxation of the Goldstone- and soft modes in a room-temperture ferroelectric liquid crystal has been investigated using dielectric and optical methods. Both methods have given concordant results.

Keywords:

• Ferroelectric liquid crystals
• electro-optic effects
• dielectric susceptibility