ORIENTATIONAL ORDER PARAMETER AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE OF CYANOCYCLOHEXYL CYCLOHEXANES

Abstract

With a view to studying the effect of increasing chain length, texture and optical studies have been conducted on two members of the series cyanocyclohexyl cyclohexanes namely CCH₄ and CCH₅. Refractive index measurements have been conducted at different temperatures by Chatelaine Wedge method using a laser beam. The orientational order parameter ⟨P₂⟩ has been determined as a function of temperature for both the members in the nematic phase. The ⟨P₂⟩ values have been compared with the theoretical values predicted by the Maier-Saupe theory.

Key Words:

• cyanocyclohexylcyclohexanes
• temperature
• texture
• optical anisotropy
• ⟨P₂⟩