Molecular polarizabilities of some liquid crystal compounds

In liquid crystal compounds, molecules become polarized in the presence of an electric field. As a result, changes in the polarization and scattering of light take place. This electro-optical behaviour is exploited in liquid crystal displays. The molecular ordering depends on the polarizability. The electronic polarizabilities of some p,p'-dialkyl azo benzene liquid crystals were calculated using Lippincott's semiempirical delta-function method. The results are found to agree satisfactorily with the values calculated by i), the Lorentz-Lorentz formula using the density and refractive index values, and by ii), the bond polarizability method.