Abstract
Three new chiral series with an azobenzene core have been synthesized and studied. The twist grain boundary smectic A and C phases, obtained with a cholesteric texture, were characterized by different techniques: binary diagram, racemic mixtures, helical pitch measurement and X-ray diffraction. Helical pitch measurements of the TGBA and TGBC phases were performed using Grandjean-Cano wedges and those of the S∗C phase with homeotropic drops. The pitch values are similar to those of tolane compounds previously studied. Electro-optical properties of the S∗C phase were measured with classical SSFLC geometry and the results are comparable with previous studies.