Electronic Conduction in the Chiral Nematic Phase of an Oligothiophene Derivative

Carrier transport characteristics in the chiral nematic phase of 2-[5-(4-[(S)-2-methylbutoxy]phenyl)-3-methyl]-2′′′-propyl-2:5′-2′:5′′-2′′:5′′′-quaterthiophene, a liquid-crystalline semiconductor (see picture), are determined with a time-of-flight technique. A non-dispersive transient photocurrent is observed in the chiral nematic phase which is attributed to an electronic processes.