Abstract
A method is described for the direct measurement of the shear-alignment angle in a nematic liquid crystal. Results of such measurements are reported for the nematic phases of three compounds: PAA (, -azoxydianisole), MBBA (-methoxybenzylidene--butylaniline), and HBAB (-hexyloxybenzylidene--aminobenzonitrile). We also report measurements of the rotational viscosity coefficient for the same compounds. In contrast to a recent report by Gähwiller, no orientational instability was found in HBAB.
- Received 17 October 1972
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.30.261
©1973 American Physical Society