| abstract |
A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having a negative large dielectric anisotropy value, AC stabilizing effect at low voltages and yet high-speed response properties and a light switching element using the composition are provided, which composition comprises at least two components at least one of which is a compound expressed by the formulan wherein R³ and R⁴ each represent the same or different linear or branched alkyl group of 1-18C and ℓ is 1 or 2 and having a negative dielectric anisotropy value, na preferred embodiment of the above composition containing at least three components A, B and C, one of which is the above compound of the formula (A) and components B and C of which are each selected from a group of specified compounds, and the respective proportions of components A, B and C being 5-40 weight %, 20-70 weight % and 5-40 weight % based on the total weight of the three, respectively. |