Fluorinated Liquid Crystals

The liquid crystalline state, located between the crystalline and the isotropic liquid states of matter, can be observed in certain types of organic compound, including polymers. A liquid crystal can flow like an ordinary liquid; however, other properties, such as birefringence, are remains of the crystalline phase. Through their anisotropy, liquid crystals are very sensitive to external changes such as electric field. Thus liquid crystals have been used as a practical means for monitoring, imaging, and other purposes.