Distinct Ferroelectric Smectic Liquid Crystals Consisting of Achiral Molecules with Banana Shape

Abstract

Abstract We found three smectic phases, SmX1, SmX2 and SmX3, in achiral compounds with banana shape. The SmX1 phase has a biaxial single molecular layer, along which polarization exists. The polarization precesses along the layer normal, and is aligned by applying an electric field. The spontaneous polarization is about 60 nC/cm2 and shows a slight temperature dependence. The dielectric constant shows a larger value in SmX1 than those of the other phases, suggesting the Goldstone mode. The relaxation frequency is below 100 Hz.