Dielectric and pyroelectric studies of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal

Abstract

Polymorphism and polar properties of an antiferroelectric (R)-2-methylheptyloxycarbonylphenyl-4-[(4-decyloxy-3-fluoro)benzoyloxy]benzoate liquid crystal are studied. The phases are identified, and the phase transition points are determined. Dielectric constant, dielectric losses, and pyroelectric properties are studied for the orthogonal smectic SmA and tilted smectic, SmC _α ^* , SmC^*, SmC _γ ^* , and SmC _A ^* phases. The temperature dependence of spontaneous polarization is measured by the repolarization current technique and integration of the pyroelectric constant.