An overview of the results obtained from the most recent experiments performed for revealing the structure of the twistbend nematic Ntb phase will be presented at the conference. This new phase provides typical X-ray diffraction pattern for the nematic phase and is found at temperatures below the conventional nematic phase in odd-chain hydrocarbon linked mesogenic dimers. The materials in the Ntb phase form self-deformed striped pattern parallel to the rubbing direction in planarly aligned rubbed cells with a well-defined period. The period is found to depend on the cell spacing. The selfdeformation stripes appear without any external electromagnetic field or thickness gradient across the cell. Although the materials are composed of non-chiral molecules, the low temperature nematic phase exhibits fast linear optical response of the order of a few microseconds. This response is reminiscent of the phase exhibiting chirality. Moreover, at higher fields some of the materials form striped domains with opposite direction of the optical response. These stripes appear normal to the rubbing direction and their periodicity depends on voltage and frequency. The Freedericksz transition in this phase also shows unusual properties and this is proven to be of the first order. The techniques to characterize this phase include polarized microscopy observation and optical contrast spectroscopy. Possible causes of the phenomena will be discussed.
The reflection spectra of composite materials on the base of grooved silicon and grooved silicon infiltrated with nematic liquid crystal (LC) have been calculated using the optimal parameters of a grooved silicon matrix suitable for the infrared range. The grooved silicon structures with different lattice constants (A=16, 12, 8 and 4 mm) have been designed and prepared. An important parameter of these structures is the thickness of the silicon walls (DSi). This has
been obtained using simulations of the spectra. This parameter was used for further analysis of the spectra of composite material grooved Si-LC. The experimental reflection is reaching of 65% in maximum (with signal modulation from maximum to minimum up to 55%) for the composite structures with a small number of lattice periods that makes these structures very perspective with a potential applications. The analysis of the polarised infrared spectra of Si structures infiltrated with LC allows one to determine the orientation and the refractive index (NLC) of the liquid crystal. For the samples with a distance between Si walls of 6-10 mm, it was found that the refractive index was NLC=~ 1.5 for polarised light and NLC 1.5 for s-polarised light. This leads to the conclusion on the planar orientation of liquid crystal molecules with respect to the Si walls. For the samples with distance between Si walls less than 3 mm, a homeotropic alignment of liquid crystal molecules has been found. Micro-Raman spectroscopy has been applied for analysis of stress in such Si structures. The maximum stress of about 2 GPa was obtained on the top of Si walls (under Si dioxide layer).
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of a ferroelectric liquid-crystalline material: 4-(3)-(S)- methyl-2-(S)-chloropentanoyloxy-4'-octyloxy-biphenyl has been investigated in the wavenumber range 450 - 4000 cm-1 for various temperatures and as a function of direct bias voltage in its SmC* phase. Samples prepared in both homeotropic and homogeneous alignments have been studied. The order parameter was calculated for several isolated IR vibrations which are characteristic of different parts and orientations of molecules. The dependence of the molecular tilt angle on direct bias voltage and temperature has similar characteristics to those obtained from electro-optic measurements.
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