LIQUID CRYSTAL PHASE TRANSITIONS USING FABRY- PEROT ETALON

Change in the phase of thermotropic liquid crystals occurs at definite phase transition temperatures. A spectroscopic technique using the Fabry-Perot etalon coupled with a spectrometer has been used to determine the mesophase transition temperatures of the liquid crystal - Cholesteryl pelargonate. New inesophase transitions have been detected and classified at the temperatures of 67 degree C. 75 degree C, 85 degree Cand 89 degree C in addition to those reported by earlier workers at 77.5 degree C, 80.5 degree C and 92 degree C. These findings have been corroborated by the analysis of the thermal runs of the same samples using Differential scanning calorimetery.