Light-scattering study of nematogenic molecules with a flexible core

Abstract

The intensity of depolarised light scattered by two members of the homologous series of α, ω-bis(4′-cyanobiphenyl-4-yloxy) alkanes has been measured. There is a strong difference between the measured intensities for the compounds with odd and even numbers of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. From the results T*/T_NI is obtained, which qualitatively confirms calculations of alternating transitional properties based on a molecular field theory with chain flexibility.