Dielectric behaviour of the B₁ phase

Abstract

Dielectric measurements on two different samples formed by banana-shaped molecules and showing a B₁ phase were carried out. Three relaxation ranges were detected: a very fast intramolecular motion, the fast reorientation about the long axes and a slow collective process. The data are discussed in relation to known X-ray investigations and dielectric results for homologous samples showing the B2 state. The main difference between B₁ and B₂ is that in B₁ no evidence for ferroelectric order in the short range was detected.