Effect of cell thickness on the dielectric relaxation processes in ferroelectric liquid crystals

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy in the frequency range 50 Hz to 1 MHz has been carried out in a room temperature ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture in the SmC*, SmA and N* phases in cells of different thickness. The relaxation frequency f(gamma), distribution parameter alpha and dielectric strength delta epsilon have been evaluated. Goldstone mode, domain mode and soft mode have been observed. It is found that the cell thickness has a significant effect on the dielectric parameters of the ferroelectric liquid crystal material. The results have been discussed.