Ferroelectric Properties of SmC Polymers

The molecular origin of ferroelectricity in FLCs is attributed to a pronounced anisotropy of the angular orientations of the lateral dipole moments, induced by the tilt of the molecular long axes with respect to the normal of the smectic layers. This is supported by the results of broadband dielectric spectroscopy performed on a low molecu- 

The only symmetry element existing in a monolayer of the SmC phase is a two-fold axis of rotation C2 which is parallel to the layer planes [68]. Thus a nonvanishing component of the polarization vector/ s exists in the direction of the C2 axis (Fig. 11 a). 

Two directions are possible for the spontaneous polarization to act along. According to the convention of Clark and Lager-wall [69], the polarization is positive (+)] when z and n form a right-handed system, and negative (-)] whenP, z, and n form a left-handed system (Fig. 11 b). 

IV Behavior and Properties of Side Group Thermotropic Liquid Crystal Polymers 

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