Design of ferroelectric liquid crystal materials

Abstract

The speed of electrooptic switching in the surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal (SSFLC) cell is dependent on the polarization density and orientational viscosity of the FLC material. These properties are, of course, related to the chemical structure of the FLC components. In an effort to design new high-performance FLC materials in a directed way, we have developed a stereochemical model for the molecular origins of the polarization based on the concept that the polarization is a manifestation of a novel form of molecular recognition occurring in the FLC phase.1 Recent results of work aimed at testing this model are described. Specifically, a novel series of chiral fluorinated FLC components have been prepared and characterized with respect to polarization, viscosity, and electrooptic response. Comparison of the properties of diastereomeric materials provides experimental evidence for the details of orientation of organic functional groups occurring in the FLC Phase.