Ideal mixing of paraelectric and ferroelectric nematic phases in liquid crystals of distinct molecular species

Nano-clustering mediates phase transitions in a diastereomerically-stabilized ferroelectric nematic system

“…For this strategy, although two components, including a N F molecule, are treated, the counter molecule need not be liquid crystalline. This point is unique compared to the conventional approach 22,40,41 . We herein adopt DIO diastereomers, trans DIO (1) and cis DIO (2), which are a ferroelectric nematogen and a non-liquid crystalline, respectively (Fig.…”

“…1a). The striking features of N F LCs are their large spontaneous polarization, gigantic dielectric permittivity 3,13,14,18,21,24,28 , high nonlinear optical activity 3,9,24,31 , electro-optic response with very low or zero threshold voltage 8,12,13,15,17,20,22 , and high fluidity 3,8,27 that may lead to unconventional soft matter technologies. According to the simple model by Born, the electric-dipolar interaction proportional to the square of the dipole moment, μ, which should be strong enough to withstand a thermal fluctuation (k B T), is the most important to emerge from the N F phase 35,36 .…”

Stereoisomer effect on ferroelectric nematics: stabilization and phase behavior diversification

“…15 The obtained phase sequence is well consistent with previously-reported ones. 16 It is worth noting that the N F phase here is a metastable state compared to the Cry phase, i.e. monotropic.…”

Development of emergent ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals with highly fluorinated and rigid mesogens

“…This unidentified X LC phase is quite similar to the reported “ M2 ” phase in the DIO sample. 5 Very recently, Chen et al determined the M2 phase as a unique “smectic Z A ” phase: 21,22 an antiferroelectric phase where a splayed polarization field modulates along the smectic layer. In the adjacent layer, the polarization changes its sign.…”