Order parameters of a nematic liquid crystal with low optical anisotropy as determined by depolarized Raman scattering

Abstract

Depolarized Raman measurements are reported for the order parameters < P2 > and < P4 > of a partially hydrogenated nematic compound. Similar to the situation observed for some nematic compounds of large birefringence the value of < P4 > is anomalously low compared with theoretical predictions. Furthermore, resonant Raman measurements are reported for coloured probe molecules dissolved in the nematic compound. The order parameters of the probe are not typical for the ordering of the host-material