Molecular crystals and liquid crystals · 1972 · 47 citations · 6 references
Natural SciencesChemistryPhysicsCondensed Matter PhysicsMolecular PhysicsPhysical ChemistryElectro-optic EffectsPhase TransitionsKerr EffectKerr NonlinearityRelaxation TimesTemperature Dependence
Abstract The exceptionally strong Kerr effect of some nematogenic compounds with strong electric dipole moments parallel to their long molecular axes was investigated. The Kerr constants just above the clearing point T cl were about 100 times larger than with nitrobenzene. The temperature dependence of the Kerr effect obeyed (T-T cl)−y, with 0.5<γ<0.7. The relaxation times were 4.10−7 sec or less.
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