Refractive Indices, Order Parameter and Optical Transmittance Studies of a Nematic Liquid Crystal Mixture

Measurements of ordinary refractive index, birefringence, density, and order parameter were made on a technologically important nematogen and the data obtained for its nematic and isotropic phase were reported. A modified wedge method was used for the measurement of the birefringence (δ n). The nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature matches very well as is exhibited from the value of refractive indices and densities obtained using different techniques. The optical anisotropy and density data were used to determine the order parameter and principal polarizability of the nematic mixture using the Vuks approach and their temperature dependence was discussed. The macroscopic order parameter was obtained and compared with microscopic order parameter. These two values agree very well.