Abstract
We report complex refractive indices of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) ZLI-4654-000 from 0.3 to 3.0 THz by THz time-domain Spectroscopy. Extraordinary and ordinary refractive indices of this FLC in the SmA* phase (67.9°C) as well as the SmC* phase (58.1°C) are determined. The birefringence of the FLC varies with frequency but is comparable to its value in the visible, 0.13, while the imaginary indices of refraction in both phases are ≤ 0.06. Absorption bands are found for ordinary waves in both phases and e-waves in SmA* phases.