Abstract

ABSTRACTSynchrotron radiation from the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) was used to probe the alignment kinetics of a class of thermotropic siloxane-based liquid crystals under the influence of an electric field. The high flux allows for real-time investigation of microstructural changes as a function of frequency and temperature. The packing behavior of a pentamethylcyclosiloxane ring with pendant biphenyl mesogens was thoroughly investigated. The director orientation parameter, Sd, typically increased with decreasing temperature and was not strongly affected by frequency. Electric-field induced changes in the director orientation were also monitored. Upon application of an electric field, the nematic system exhibited a tendency to pack in columns with short-range correlation of the mesogens. Column correlation lengths are examined as a function of temperature for two frequencies. At the low temperature end of the mesophase, a tendency for the mesogens to layer pack was observed.

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