Atsushi Yoshizawa

Ferroelectric liquid crystals possessing a novel fluorinated chiral moiety

We prepared ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) possessing a newly designed chiral part, 2- fluoro-2-methylalkanoyloxy group. The new chiral moiety was derived from the corresponding chiral epoxides biologically produced. Physical properties of the FLCs with the new chiral moiety were compared to those having another fluorinated chiral moieties. The 2-fluoro-2- methylalkanoyloxy group greatly contributes to producing a large spontaneous polarization (Ps). Effects of core structures in the FLC molecules were also investigated. A prymidine ring in the core part extremely enhances the Ps value. In order to prepare a practical FLC mixture, the novel chiral compound with the large Ps was doped in a base mixture having a wide temperature range of smectic C phase. The mixture exhibits a fast optoelectrical switching time and an appropriate tilt angle. Its performance in a multiplexing device was also investigated.