Ferroelectric polarization properties of a 4′-((s)2-methylbutyloxy)-phenyl-4-alkyloxy-benzoate type smectic C∗ liquid crystal

An ester-type ferroelectric chiral smectic liquid crystal has been studied in thin cells. Using a modified Diamant-bridge method the spontaneous polarization has been measured as a function of temperature. In the same set-up the smectic tilt angle is determined optically, and electro-optical characteristics are measured. Moreover, the dielectric anisotropy is accessible by achieving two orthogonal smectic layer orientations in the measuring cell.