Domain structures as optical gratings controlled by electric field in a bent-core nematic.

ABSTRACT

A regular domain structure consisting of parallel stripes - flexodomains - have been induced by low frequency (subHz) electric voltage in a bent core nematic liquid crystal. The wavelength of the pattern is in the range of 1-10 micrometers and thus can conveniently be observed in a polarizing microscope. It also serves as an optical grating and produces a regular system of laser diffraction spots. The pattern was found to emerge and disappear consecutively in each half period of the driving, with the wavelength of the flexodomains changing periodically as the ac voltage oscillates. Analyzing the polarization characteristics of the diffracted light, the polarization of the first order spot was found perpendicular to that of the incident light, in accordance with a recent theoretical calculation.