POLARIZATION AND DIELECTRIC-PROPERTIES OF AN ANTIFERROELECTRIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL

The spontaneous polarization and dielectric properties of a new antife rroelectric liquid crystal (AFLC) exhibiting several intermediate phas es between the SmCA and SmC phases are investigated. A low frequency ferri Goldstone mode and a higher frequency ferro Goldstone mode have been observed over a certain range of temperatures. The effect of d.c. bias voltage on these modes is examined. The results confirm the exis tence of an FiLC phase with q(T) > 1/2 between SmCgamma and SmC. Thes e also show the co-existence of the FiLC phase with SmC over a narrow range of temperatures above the FiLC phase. The phase sequence for th is material is found to contain SmCA, SmCgamma, FiLC, (FiLC coexisting with SmC), SmC*, SmA phases on heating and SmA- SmC* SmCgamma- SmCA- phases on cooling.