Optical properties of the locally anisotropic liquid L-phase in a chiral anticlinic liquid crystal series

Abstract:

Optical Rotatory Power (ORP) measurements and Raman scattering experiments have been performed in various compounds of the nCTBB9 chiral series, which displays a locally anisotropic liquid phase referred to as “L-phase”. The ORP results are very reminiscent of the behaviour theoretically predicted for the Blue Phase III-to-Isotropic transition, close to and above the critical point in the temperature-chirality phase diagram. It is suggested however, considering both the Raman scattering results and the high stability of smectic phases in this series, that the supercritical state should be characterized by both chiral and smectic order with short correlation lengths.