abstract |
An optically isotropic liquid crystal composition is provided, which exhibits stability to heat and light, etc., and a high upper-limit temperature and a low-lower limit temperature of an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase, and which has a low driving voltage and a large contrast ratio in an element driven in an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase. A polymer/liquid crystal composite material is also provided, which exhibits a high upper limit temperature and a low lower limit temperature of an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase, and which has a low driving voltage and a high contrast ratio. An optical device that uses the polymer/liquid crystal composite material is also provided. n A liquid crystal composition is described, which exhibits an optically isotropic liquid crystal phase and contains an achiral component T and a chiral dopant. The achiral component T contains, as its first component, at least one compound selected from compounds represented by formula (1) in an amount of 30 wt% to 85 wt%,n nwherein R 1 is alkyl, for example; L 1 , L 2 , L 3 , L 4 , L 5 and L 6 are each independently hydrogen or fluorine; Z 1 and Z 2 are each independently a single bond or -CF 2 O-, with at least one of Z 1 and Z 2 being -CF 2 O-; and X 1 is halogen, for example. |