Optical and electro-optic properties of cyanotolanes and cyanostilbenes: Potential infrared liquid crystals

Optical and electro-optic properties of some highly conjugated nematic liquid crystals (LCs): 4-cyano-4'-n-alkyltolanes (n-CDP) and 4-cyano-4'-n-alkylstilbene (n-CS) were studied at elevated temperature. Results are compared with 4-cyano-4'-n-pentylbiphenyl (5CB). These LCs exhibit large birefringence, small viscoelastic coefficient, and low threshold voltage. Their potential application for modulating visible and infrared radiation is addressed.