Dielectric investigations of the B₂ phase

Abstract

Two samples consisting of banana-shaped molecules with terminal alkyloxy or terminal alkyl groups were investigated. Dielectric measurements prove the existence of two absorption ranges up to 10 MHz. The high frequency process is related to the reorientation of the bulky rigid core characterized by a strong positive dipole correlation in the B₂ phase. The sample with the alkyloxy groups should show a third absorption range at higher frequencies due to the fast reorientation of the end groups. The low frequency process seen only in the B₂ phase is explained by the dynamics of ferroelectric clusters.