PURPOSE: To produce the title composition having high-speed response necessary for a photoswitching element for display by adding a specified lowly viscous compound to a matrix lqiuid crystal or a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition.
CONSTITUTION: A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition having high-speed response, good orientability and a wide drive temperature range and containing a comopound of formula I (wherein R1 and R2 are each a 6-14C linear alkyl). A lowly viscous ferroelectric liquid crystal composition capable of response as quick as 40μsec or shorter can be produced by adding a compound of formula I and a composition of formula II (wherein one of R3 and R4 is 4-14C alkoxy or alkenloxy, and the other is 4-14C linear alkyl) (e.g. a compound of formula III) to a matrix liquid crystal showing a smectic C phase and a chiral dopant comprising an optically active compound (e.g. a compound of formula IV).
OSAWA MASASHI
NAKAMURA KAYOKO
