ISSN:
1434-6036
Keywords:
PACS. 61.30.Gd Orientational order of liquid crystals; electric and magnetic field effects on order - 64.70.Md Transitions in liquid crystals
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Physics
Notes:
Abstract: We report a detailed ellipsometric study of freely suspended films of chiral liquid-crystal compounds possessing smectic-A and smectic-C phases. In the temperature region between the smectic-A - smectic-C bulk and surface transitions, a discontinuous reconstruction of the tilt profile across the film is observed in the presence of a constant d.c. electric field. Comparison of the measured ellipsometric quantities with values calculated from model tilt profiles reveals a competition between a structure possessing a homogeneous tilt direction and large ferroelectric polarization and a structure with opposite tilt direction in the two film halfs and large flexoelectric polarization.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100510050787
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