Anomalous Bulk Viscosity of Cholesteric Systems Exhibiting Blue Phases

Abstract

Abstract The bulk viscosity of two cholesteric mixed systems cholesteryl nonanoate/cholesteryl chloride and CB 15/ZLI 1612 has been measured using Ubbelohde capillary viscometers. A viscosity maximum close below the clearing point only has been observed in such mixtures exhibiting blue phases (BP). Cholesteric systems with larger pitches in which no BPs exist show a nematic-like capillary flow behaviour.