Orientation and order in thin films of a combined liquid crystalline polymer

The order in thin films of a combined liquid crystalline polymer is studied by X-ray reflection. Films of thicknesses of less than 200 nm on float glass are investigated as a function of temperature. The polymer with mesogenic groups in the main and side-chains exhibits smectic and cholesteric mesophases. Measurements in the smectic phases show a Bragg peak and smectic layers are oriented parallel to the substrate. The sample is thus macroscopically ordered by the influence of substrate and free surface. The film surface is very smooth after spincoating; surface roughness is typically 0.8 nm. First annealing of samples leads to a significant roughening of the free surface; roughness increas…

LC-Polymers with Axial Chirality

Abstract Liquid crystalline polymers with axial chirality are prepared. These polymers are chiral, not due to a single asymmetric carbon atom, but due to a larger molecular fragment, which is chiral as a whole. They exhibit cholesteric and chiral smectic C* phases. Dielectric spectroscopy proves strong ferroelectric properties in the chiral smectic C* phases of these polymers.

Fast electroclinic switching in a ferroelectric LC-polysiloxane

Dimesogenic ferroelectric polysiloxanes

Dimesogenic polysiloxane [Si(Me) 2 O] m [Si(Me)(R)O] n (R= (CH 2 ) 3 CH(COO[CH 2 ] 11 OPhPhOCOPh(NO 2 )OC * H(Me)C 6 H 13 ) 2 are synthesized by hydrosilylation. The phase transition temperaturs are determined and the ferroelectric properties are investigated

Molecular dynamics in ferroelectric liquid crystals: From low molar to polymeric and elastomeric systems

Freely-Suspended and Transferred Freely-Suspended Films of Polymeric Liquid Crystals

Freely-suspended (FS) liquid-crystal (LC) films of a polymethylsiloxane homo- and a copolymer with different mesogenic side groups have been prepared and investigated. For both substances the preparation of the films succeeded only in the isotropic phase but the higher ordered phases were reached after cooling. The films of the homopolymer have only been obtained with thicknesses estimated to be in the pm-range and with an unusual “Book-Shelf” orientation of the smectic layers. In contrast, the films of the copolymer were thinner and showed a homeotropic orientation of the mesogens in the smectic A phase. Interestingly, this material exhibited a different layer spacing in film and bulk, alt…