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

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 fundamental (to 532 nm) without poling in an external field. (Figure Presented.) Copyright © 1990 Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim