The Dielectric Properties of Nematic 44′<i>n</i>-pentylcyanobiphenyI

Abstract

Abstract The electric permittivity of nematic 44′ n-pentylcyanobiphenyl has been measured in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. Values of the permittivity components for the aligned state have been obtained and analysed in terms of the statistical theory of Maier and Meier. The behaviour of bulk samples of the material in electric and magnetic fields has been investigated, and yielded a mean permittivity for the non-aligned state. The macroscopic behaviour is discussed in terms of the continuum theory. Variable frequency measurements have shown the presence of a dispersion region in ε∥ at about 5 MHz.