Dielectric and pyroelectric studies of an antiferroelectric liquid crystal

Polymorphism and polar properties of an antiferroelectric (R)-2-methylhepty loxycarbonylphenyl-4-[(4-decyloxy-3-fluoro)benzoyloxy]benzoate liquid cryst al are studied. The phases are identified, and the phase transition points are determined. Dielectric constant, dielectric losses, and pyroelectric pr operties are studied for the orthogonal smectic SmA and tilted smectic SmCa lpha*, SmC*, SmCgamma*, and SmCA* phases. The temperature dependence of spo ntaneous polarization is measured by the repolarization current technique a nd integration of the pyroelectric constant. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperi odica".