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".