The first experimental values of the Lorentz tensor components Lj for the cholesteric and smectic A phases of derivatives of cholesterol have been obtained using the dispersion of the refractive indices in the visible range. The temperature dependence of the components Lj has been determined; it is invariant with respect to the cholesteric-smectic A phase transition. The effect of the isotropization of the Lorentz and local field tensors with decreasing anisotropy of the molecular polarizability has been revealed.

Cholesteric liquid crystals show local-field anisotropy, with temperature dependence invariant to the cholesteric-smectic A phase transition, and the isotropization of Lorentz and local field tensors affects molecular polarizability.

Local-field anisotropy in cholesteric liquid crystals

Key Takeaway: Cholesteric liquid crystals show local-field anisotropy, with temperature dependence invariant to the cholesteric-smectic A phase transition, and the isotropization of Lorentz and local field tensors affects molecular polarizability.