Importance

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Abstract

A ferroelectric liquid crystal composition is provided exhibiting an Sc* phase over a wide temperature range including room temperature and having a spontaneous polarization value of 30 nC/cm.sup.2 or less and a quick response, time. An optical switching element comprising the ferroelectric liquid crystal composition is also provided. The ferroelectric liquid crystal composition comprises components A, B, C and D in respective amounts by weight of 75 to 95%, 3 to 9%, and 3 to 12% and 2 to 5% based on the total amount of these components and having a phase sequence series of an isotropic liquid, a cholesteric phase, a smectic A phase and a chiral smectic C phase in that order from the high temperature side and a spontaneous polarization value of 30 nC/cm.sup.2 or less. The component A is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formulae: ##STR1## The component B is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formulae: ##STR2## The component C is at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the general formula: ##STR3## In the above formulae, R.sup.1 to R.sup.10, X, m, n and * are as defined in the claims.

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First Claim