Effect of flip-flop motion on dielectric spectra of highly ordered liquid crystals

Abstract

This paper presents studies of dielectric response of chosen Schiff bases, which have similar molecular structures with different isomerizations of an azomethine bridging group, alkyloxy chain length with n=5 or n=6 carbon atoms, and a bromine or chlorine halogen terminal atom. Significant differences in the values of the maximum of dielectric absorption related to flip-flop molecular jumps in hexagonal smectic-B(Cry) phases have been found despite small differences of molecular dipole moments in these substances. This phenomenon is discussed in relation to the possibilities of the creation of dimers and to steric factors favoring motions.