High birefringence and high resistivity isothiocyanate-based nematic liquid crystal mixtures

The molecular structures and physical properties of several single- and double-fluorinated isothiocyanatotolane, isothiocyanatocyclohexyltolane, and isothiocyanatoterphenyl compounds are reported. Two eutectic mixtures comprising these compounds are formulated and their properties evaluated. These mixtures exhibit a high birefringence, relatively low viscosity, high resistivity, and good photo and thermal stabilities. Potential applications of these mixtures for spatial light modulators, optical phased arrays, and high speed photonics are discussed.