Heat Pulse Method for Determination of Thermal Diffusivity of Liquid Crystals

Abstract
A heat pulse method for determination of thermal diffusivity of liquid crystals is described. It is based on measurement of temperature rise by a sensing electrode when a heat pulse is given by a heating electrode. From curve-fitting between experimental results and the solution of equation of heat conduction, thermal diffusivity of liquid crystals can be determined. This method is applied to 4'-n-octyl-4-cyanobiphenyl and the anisotropy and the temperature dependence of its thermal diffusivity are measured.