Add to ORKGLiquid crystalline ferroelectric materials possessing high spontaneous polarization and fast electroclinic switching have been synthesized and characterized with respect to a potentional application in displays, optical shutters, piezodetectors, pyrodetectors and electrophotographic printing processes. The studied materials include polymers (polysiloxanes, polyacrylates) as well as oligomers and oligomesogens (allene derivatives, thiadiazole derivatives, calix-[4]-arene derivatives, oligooxythylen groups containing calamitic liquid crystals). Highly cross-linked liquid crystalline polysiloxanes are especially suited for use in piezodetectors and pyrodetectors. A large application potentional of the oligomesogenic compounds is to be aspected...