THERMALLY STIMULATED DEPOLARIZATION CURRENTS IN A NEW CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL

The phase transitions in cholesteryl-beta-chloropropionate were studied by using thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) methods. Optical transmission studies were performed over the whole temperature range. From the experimental data, useful information with reference to the conduction mechanism was obtained. The TSDC spectra displayed a peak at the solid-cholesteric phase transition temperature. Using the plots obtained when different depolarization fields were applied, the activation energies and the relaxation time were determined.