Liquid Crystals

In 1959, about 1400 compounds forming liquid crystalline phases were known; by 1992, this number had increased to about 50 000. In portable devices like wristwatches, pocket caculators, measuring instruments, and laptop computers the liquid crystal display technology has gained total acceptance and is on the way to encompass the market of colour TV screens. This development makes a volume devoted to liquid crystals in the series __Topics in Physical__ __Chemistry__ desirable. Following the concept of this series, an easy introduction to liquid crystals is given, enabling the reader to understand the basic problems of liquid crystals research and application. Because of the widespread field of different research activities in liquid crystals and applications, various competent authors have been involved in writing chapters on: - Phase types, structures, and chemistry of liquid crystals; - Thermodynamical behavior and physical properties of thermotropic liquid crystals; - Liquid crystalline polymers; - Lyotropic liquid crystals; - Application of liquid crystals in spectroscopy; - Application of liquid crystals in display technology. Front Matter....Pages I-X Phase Types, Structures and Chemistry of Liquid Crystals....Pages 1-50 Thermodynamic Behavior and Physical Properties of Thermotropic Liquid Crystals....Pages 51-102 Liquid Crystalline Polymers....Pages 103-141 Lyotropic Liquid Crystals....Pages 143-171 Application of Liquid Crystals in Spectroscopy....Pages 173-193 Liquid Crystal Displays....Pages 195-226 Back Matter....Pages 227-231 The liquid crystalline state may be identified as a distinct and unique state of matter which is characterised by properties which resemble those of both solids and liquids.