Phase-Transitions in Langmuir-Blodgett and Cast Films of a Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal

Langmuir-Blodgett films and cast films of a ferroelectric liquid crystal of sec-butyl 6-(4-(nonyloxy) benzoyloxy)-2-naphthoate (FLC-1) have been fabricated and its thermal behavior was investigated using infrared spectroscopy at elevated temperature combined with principle component analysis. The result shows a new phase transition from smectic A to nematic phase, compared to the phase sequence obtained by polarizing optical microscopy. Another solid transition of different isomeric crystals is also found, which is confirmed by calorimetric measurement.