Microscopic organization and tilt angle in smectic A and chiral smectic C phases: Characterization and orientational order by H-2 NMR and electric polarization measurements

H-2-NMR spectroscopy is employed to investigate the orientational order, ti lt angle and layers organization of the chiral smectic liquid crystal (-)-( S)-[4-(2-methylbutyloxy carbonyl) phenyl] 4-n-heptyl-biphenyl carboxylate-d (8) (MBHB-d(8)) in the magnetic field. The electrooptical behaviour of this material has also been investigated. The results from these two different techniques show the importance of molecular conformation for the electric a nd structural properties of this mesogen.