Some Extended Range Nematic Liquid Crystal Mixtures

Abstract

Extending the temperature range of nematic liquid crystals is technologically important for the operation of electrooptic devices in environments where ambient temperatures vary widely. The expected lowest temperature limit (eutectic temperature) of eutectic-forming nematic mixtures is calculable from the equations of le Chatelier, Schröder, and van Laar (CSL). The assumptions basic to the derivation of these equations are discussed elsewhere.1,2 However, straightforward application of the method makes it apparent that the greatest depression of the eutectic temperature is obtained for components having both low crystal-nematic temperature T_KN and small crystal-nematic latent heat L_KN.