METHACRYLATE NETWORKS CONTAINING CHIRAL CALAMITIC LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE SIDE-GROUPS

A one-step copolymerization of ferroelectric methacrylate monomers lea ding to networks is presented. Oriented networks are obtained and elec tro-optical investigations are described. Smectic C and another smect ic phase are found in slightly crosslinked networks. For higher crossl inking densities, only the high temperature smectic C phase was found . Electro-optical measurements were performed on the networks, and sig nificant changes in the ferroelectrical properties were found. For cro sslinking densities higher than 0.5 mol-%, switching times increased d ramatically and the spontaneous polarization decreased. Networks with crosslinking densities of 2 mol-% did not exhibit ferroelectric proper ties.