Ferroelectric liquid crystalline polysiloxanes with high spontaneous polarization and possible applications in nonlinear optics

Abstract

Ferroelectric liquid crystalline (LC) polymers (see figure), which in the smectic C* phase exhibit the highest yet known spontaneous polarization for LC polymers of up to 430 nC/cm2, a value which approaches that of the best low molecular weight materials, have been synthesized, based on chiral polysiloxanes. A copolymer is also reported which shows promise for second harmonic generation (frequency doubling) of the 1064 nm Nd:YAG fundamental (to 532 nm) without poling in an external field. (Figure Presented.) Copyright © 1990 Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim