Collective dynamic modes of microconfined ferroelectric liquid crystals

The dielectric properties of the ferroelectric liquid crystal 4-oetyloxy-4-(2-methylbutyloxy)carbonyl-phenylbenzoate in different confinements have been investigated. While the molecular dynamic processes are not influenced by the micro-porous confinement, the collective relaxation processes are strongly affected by restricted geometry. Changes of shape, dispersion and frequency of the relaxation processes caused by confinement were observed. The Goldstone mode present in the bulk ferroelectric liquid crystal is not observed in the porous materials. The reason for the disappearance of the Goldstone mode depends on the structure, pore size and surface interactions in confinement.