Electrooptic Effect Using Helicoidal Structure in Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals

Abstract

A electrooptic effect utilizing deformation of helicoidal structure (DHS) in ferroelectric liquid crystals has been studied. The response speed from unwound state under applying high voltage to wound state under applying no voltage is very slow. This response speed becomes fast by means of applied pulse voltage of reversal polarity. The transient stripe texture has been formed by applying pulse voltage of reversal polarity. This transient stripe texture is turned to the nucleation of helicoidal structure after removal of pulse voltage. Therefore, the wound state has been quickly achieved and response speed becomes fast.