smectic A to smectic C, is characterized by a transition enthalpy in kJ/mol. Extensive investigations of phase transitions have revealed the temperature dependence of physical parameters such as the helical pitch, the viscosity or the elastic coefficients.
Due to the ordered structure, all phases between Tm and Tc are anisotropic, meaning that all dielectric, optical and mechanical properties depend upon the direction.
The dielectric constant is ε = εrε0, where ε0 = 8.854.10-12 F/m stands for the permittivity in vacuum and εr for the relative dielectric constant. This means, as shown in Figure 2.1, εr = ε|| in the direction parallel to the director and
Figure 2.5 Helix of the cholesteric phase
(2.2)
Materials with Δε > 0 are called p-type; their molecules align with the director parallel to the electric field, whereas in n-type materials with Δε < 0, they align perpendicular to the field. This holds independent of the direction of the field vector. Values for Δε are found in the range from −0.8 to −6 and from 2 to 20. The addition of cyanogroups enlarges Δε, whereas fluorine atoms in materials with Δε < 0 lower Δε even further. Values for four materials are listed in Table 2.1.
The optical anisotropy Δn concerns the refractive indices n0 for the ordinary beam of light, where the vector of the electrical field oscillates perpendicular to the optical axis that is perpendicular to the director and the refractive index ne for the extraordinary beam of light, where the field vector oscillates in parallel to the director. Hence we obtain
Table 2.1 Properties of liquid crystal materials
| ZLI-3125 | 14616 | ZLI-2585 | 14627 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC[°C] | 63 | 54 | 70 | 48 |
| Δε (1kHz, 20 °C) | + 2.4 | + 2.3 | −4.4 | −3.5 |
| η [mm2/s] (20 °C) | 20 | 32 | 45 | 45 |
| n0 = n┴ | 1.4672 | 1.4554 | 1.469 | 1.4551 |
| ne = n|| | 1.5188 | 1.5034 | 1.506 | 1.4893 |
| Δn (589 nm, 20 °C) | 0.0516 | 0.0480 | 0.037 | 0.0342 |
(2.3)
and
(2.4)
and the optical anisotropy
(2.5)
More explanation about the optic axis and the ordinary beam will be given in Chapter 6. The refractive index n is based on optical frequencies that are very high. Therefore, the equation known from Maxwell’s theory (Born and Wolf, 1980)
(2.6)
provides for frequencies approaching infinity:
(2.7)
(2.8)
and
(2.9)
The refractive indices depend upon the wavelength λ. Values for Δn lie in the range Δn [0.04, 0.45]; some values are listed in Table 2.1. As a rule, materials with a high Δn are not stable to UV light. Due to the optical anisotropy, the material is birefringent. The speed of light is (Born and Wolf, 1980)
(2.10)
where c is the speed of light in vacuum. The speeds of light
(2.11)
and
(2.12)
where the E-vector oscillates parallel and perpendicular to the director, are different and dependent on the wavelength.
This is the key for the electro-optical effects in liquid crystal cells.
The direction with the larger refraction index n|| exhibits the smaller speed, and hence is called the slow axis, whereas n┴ defines the fast axis.
The dynamic behaviour of LC materials is affected greatly by the viscosity. Too high viscosities at lower temperatures slow down the movement of the molecules and yield the lower temperature limit of LC cells. The proximity to Tc provides the upper temperature limit. The dynamic viscosity ηd is defined as
(2.13)
where F is the force needed to shift a body with the area A with the velocity v over a viscous layer with a thickness d. For displays, the kinematic viscosity
(2.14)
is used, where d is the density of the viscous material. As for most LC materials, d is around 1 Ns2/mm4;