Photoinduced phase transitions and helix untwisting in the SmC* phase of a novel cinnamoyl-based liquid crystal

Abstract

A photoinduced phase transition and helix untwisting in a new liquid crystal forming the SmC* phase were studied in detail. The compound consists of a cinnamoyl photosensitive fragment with C = C double bond capable of photoisomerisation and photocycloaddition. It was shown that ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (365 nm) induces an extreme decrease in phase transitions temperatures (SmC*–SmA*, SmA*–N*, N*–I). Vertically aligned samples in the SmC* phase cause selective light reflection in the visible spectral range. The light action results in a noticeable helix untwisting that causes a shift in the selective light reflection peak to the long-wavelength spectral region. The temperature dependence of spontaneous polarisation P s was measured and it was found that UV irradiation induces a decrease in the values of P s. Photo-optical phenomena taking place in the liquid crystal are attributed to the formation of photoproducts having low anisometry, which disrupts mesophases.