Abstract: A liquid crystal compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent C.sub.1-18 alkyl group, alkyl halide group or aralkyl halide, R.sup.1 may be the same as or different from R.sup.2, X is selected from --COOCH.sub.2 -- or --OCO--.

Abstract: Novel ferroelectric liquid crystalline compounds having a superior stability and chiral, smectic liquid crystalline compositions containing at least one kind of the same are provided, which compounds are expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.9 alkyl group.

Abstract: A liquid crystal apparatus includes a plurality of volumes of liquid crystal material in a containment medium. At least some of the volumes are interconnected. The walls defining the volumes tend to distort the natural liquid crystal structure in the absence of an electric field, and the optical and electrical properties of the materials are such that in the absence of a field incident light is scattered or absorbed and in the presence of a field, scattering and/or absorption are reduced. The apparatus may be used in an optical display, optical shutter, billboard, etc., and it functions independently of polarization. Methods of making and using the apparatus also are included in the invention.