| abstract |
A liquid crystal composition comprising at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (I): <CHEM> wherein R1 and R2 respectively denote a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 - 16 carbon atoms optionally substituted; Z1 denotes a single bond, -O-, -COO- or -OCO-, X1 denotes halogen; and A1 denotes a single bond or <CHEM> and at least one mesomorphic compound represented by the following formula (II): <CHEM> wherein R3 and R4 respectively denote an alkyl group having 2 - 16 carbon atoms optionally substituted; Y1 denotes a single bond, <CHEM> Z2 and Z3 respectively denote a single bond, -O-, <CHEM> <CHEM> A2 and A3 respectively denote a single bond, <CHEM> <CHEM> X2 and X3 respectively denote hydrogen, F, Cl, Br, -CH3, -CN or -CF3; and k is 0 or 1 with the proviso that Z2 is a single bond when A2 is a single bond, and Z3 is a single bond when A3 is a single bond and k is 0. The liquid crystal composition is easily aligned by a simple rubbing method to provide a uniform monodomain and further provides wider driving voltage and temperature margins effective for providing a practical ferroelectric liquid crystal device. <IMAGE> |