Theory of layer structure in ferroelectric liquid crystal devices in applied electric fields.
Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys
; 68(5 Pt 1): 051704, 2003 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-14682808
ABSTRACT
We propose a model for the free energy of a ferroelectric liquid crystal formed by cooling a sample from the smectic-A phase between parallel substrates. Under these circumstances the smectic layers may deform into V-shaped structures known as chevrons. Application of a strong electric field causes the layers to return to a flat shape, but this can occur in a number of ways. In the model presented here, it is a parameter related to the layer compression modulus that is the principal factor in determining the nature of the field-induced transition from chevrons to flat layers. When this parameter is large, the transition is sudden, but when it is small the chevron first takes on a rounded form before flattening. At intermediate values the tip of the chevron first flattens, and then this flat region gradually grows to encompass the entire layer.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys
Journal subject:
BIOFISICA
/
FISIOLOGIA
Year:
2003
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States