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THz Properties of Nematic Liquid Crystals

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Abstract

We systematically study the terahertz (THz) properties of a set of nematic liquid crystals. We use THz time domain spectroscopy to obtain data between 0.2 THz up to 2.5 THz. Such a broadband set of terahertz data has not yet been reported. From the measured data, we extract macroscopic data, such as the birefringence, the refractive indices and the absorption coefficients for ordinary and extraordinary polarization. The impact of different side chains and core structures on the terahertz anisotropy are discussed. This paper will serve as a data base and can be very useful for the design of new terahertz liquid crystal material.

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Acknowledgement

The authors acknowledge the Merck KGaA for providing the samples. Nico Vieweg thanks the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes and the Braunschweig International School of Metrology (IGSM) for funding. Mohammad Khaled Shakfa acknowledges the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education for financial support. Benedikt Scherger would like to express his appreciation to the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, Philipps University Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Str. MZG C06, Marburg, 35032, Germany

    Nico Vieweg, Mohammad Khaled Shakfa, Benedikt Scherger & Martin Koch

  2. Institute of Bio- and Nanosystems, Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, 52428, Germany

    Martin Mikulics

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  1. Nico Vieweg
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  2. Mohammad Khaled Shakfa
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  3. Benedikt Scherger
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Correspondence to Nico Vieweg.

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Vieweg, N., Shakfa, M.K., Scherger, B. et al. THz Properties of Nematic Liquid Crystals. J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves 31, 1312–1320 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10762-010-9721-1

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