Abstract
We synthesised a series of rod‐like mesogens with a (S)‐2‐methylbutyl‐(S)‐lactate unit in the chiral chain that exhibited extremely wide temperature ranges in the TGBA and TGBC* phases. TGB phases were identified, based on typical textures in confined samples and in free‐standing films, by Grandjean‐Cano texture and by NMR studies on a deuterium‐labelled isotopomer. A sufficiently high electric or magnetic field transformed the TGBA and TGBC* phases into their respective SmA and SmC* phases, the TGB structures being restored within some 20–30 minutes. Therefore values of the spontaneous polarisation and spontaneous tilt angle, when measured under a sufficiently high field, gave evidence of the properties of the SmC* phase. Temperature dependencies of relaxation frequency, dielectric strength, selective reflection and layer spacing showed anomalies at a certain temperature within the TGBC* phase range. Also, changes in textures, as well as in 2H‐NMR spectra, occurred at this same temperature. These results suggest the existence of two TGBC* phases.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
