Dielectric behaviour of the B-1 phase

Dielectric measurements on two different samples formed by banana-shaped mo lecules and showing a B-1 phase were carried out. Three relaxation ranges w ere detected: a very fast intramolecular motion, the fast reorientation abo ut the long axes and a slow collective process. The data are discussed in r elation to known X-ray investigations and dielectric results for homologous samples showing the B-2 state. The main difference between B-1 and B-2 is that in B-1 no evidence for ferroelectric order in the short range was dete cted.