Abstract
We have studied polycatenar compounds which exhibit hexagonal columnar mesophases. In the planar orientation of these mesophases, the elliptical diffusion of the dissolved dyes is visualized by taking several pictures of the sample. The diffusion ratio D-parallel to/D-perpendicular to is deduced for these columnar mesophases. Furthermore, using a classical optical absorption technique, we present measurements of dye diffusion in the same mesophases. The diffusion constants are measured in two geometries, along and perpendicular to the columns. The diffusion anisotropy ratios are in agreement with those deduced from the ellipse axes. The structure of these new columnar mesophases exhibited by rod-like mesogens is compared with that of disk-like mesogens.