Introduction to Liquid Crystals

Abstract

In general, matter is broadly divided info three groups, %lids, Liquids and Gases. When solid is heated it First melts into liquid and on further heating moves to gaseous state. Some materials exhibit interesting intermediate between solid and fiquid called liquid crystals. Liquid crystals (ICs) ore defined as •condensed fluid phases With spontaneous anisotropy'. The simultaneous possession liquid like flu idity and solid like molecular Order character in c single phase is the unique character Of liquid crystals, it gives rise to so many interesting properties exploited by scientists and engineers in the application field. These interesting liquid crystaline materia Is have been Observed for Over a century but not recognized as such until 880s. In 1888, Friedrich ReiNtzer gave first Systemaic report of the phenomena and reported his observations when he prepared cholesteryl benzo-ate. This seminar paper appeared in Vol.9. (1888) Of furchemåe (Reinitzer 1888) and a translation into English has been published in (Reinitzer 1989) to celebrate the centenary Of the paper.