Two mechanisms for the formation of the ferronematic phase studied by dielectric spectroscopy

A non-chiral ferroelectric nematic compound with a 1,3-dioxane unit in the mesogenic core called 2,3?,4?,5?-tetrafluoro-[1,1?-biphenyl]-4-yl 2,6-difluoro-4-(5-propyl-1,3-dioxan-2-yl) benzoate (DIO) was studied by dielectric spectroscopy frequency range 0.1 Hz–10 MHz over wide of temperatures. The exhibits three phases on cooling from isotropic phase, i.e., ordinary paraelectric N; intermediate NX and NF phase. least process is due to dynamics ions. middle relaxation P1 like as observed other ferronematic compounds this mode continuation molecular flip-flop motion phase collective dipoles which are strongly coupled splay fluctuations phases. In addition process, DIO shows an additional P2 at higher frequencies both N This originates polar/chiral domains opposite chirality, these arise spontaneous symmetry breaking achiral mesogens Both processes, P2, show soft mode-like characteristic behavior NX-NF transition temperature shown contribute independently formation