Orientational order in p-azoxyanisole, p-azoxyphenetole and their mixtures in the nematic phase

Abstract

The formula proposed recently by Vuks for the polarization field associated with strongly anisotropic organic molecules has been applied to evaluate the orientational order in p-azoxyanisole, p-azoxyphenetole and their mixtures in the nematic phase. It is found to yield accurate results as is confirmed by the internal consistency of the calculations. The degree of order S plotted against the relative temperature (T_c - T) gives a set of nearly parallel curves, and for a given relative temperature, S is greater the higher the nematic liquid transition point T_c. The degree of order in the mixture is expressible as p₁ S_PAA+ p₂S_PAP where p₁, p₂ are the mole fractions of the pure compounds.