Tomoaki Kuratate

Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals Incorporating the Optically Active γ-Lactone Ring

Ferroelectric liquid crystals incorporating an optically active γ-lactone ring were prepared. They show enantiotropic smectic C phases which have very large spontaneous polarizations as large as ∼590 nC/cm 2 (5.9 mC/m 2 ). The large spontaneous polarizations are attributed to the structural features wherein a dipole and two chiral centers are fixed in the γ-lactone ring

Deviation of layer normal from rubbing direction in SSF-LC

Abstract Deviation angle δ of the layer normal away from the rubbing direction in surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal(SSF-LC) was studied using liquid crystal(LC) mixtures possessing smectic A(SmA) phase and cells with one rubbed substrate. The dependence of δ on the properties of LC, cell spacing, temperature, and external field suggested that δ originated from the twist in the nematic phase and electroclinic effect in SmA phase due to the surface field.

The states of surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal with high-pretilt aligning film

Surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal with high-pretilt (about 15°) aligning film rubbed in parallel showed three types of states: C1-uniform (C1U), C1-twisted (C1T), and C2 states. In the C1 state, the uniform state (C1U) showing extinction positions and the twisted state (C1T) showing no extinction position were observed. On the other hand, the C2 state showed only one state showing extinction positions. The properties of these three states were investigated and their orientational model will be discussed in combination with the molecular orientation on the surface of the aligning film.

Chiral γ-lactones for FLC. The relationship between the molecular structures and the properties

Abstract The relationship between the molecular structures of the optically active γ-lactones as chiral dopants and the properties of ferroelectric liquid crystalline (FLC) mixtures containing them are discussed. The design of molecules having a zig-zag shape for superior chiral dopants are suggested.

Novel optically active dopants for ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract Optically active compounds derived from 1-(4-substituted-phenyl)ethanols were evaluated as a dopant for ferroelectric liquid crystals. The effects of the restriction of the rotational freedom around the chiral center on the spontaneous polarization and the response time will be discussed.

Relationship Between Molecular Structure and Spontaneous Polarization for Optically Active Γ -Lactone Derivatives

AbstractFerroelectric liquid crystal mixtures doped with the cis isomer of optically active γ -lactone derivatives show a higher spontaneous polarization (Ps) than those doped with the trans isomer. The relationship between the molecular structure and Ps will be discussed with respect to the molecular conformations and molecular arrangements in smectic C phase.