PB41 Structure Dewetting Transition in Liquid Crystal

Abstract

We present a novel orientational wetting transition in a liquid crystal system, from a homeotropic (H) to planar (P) state, driven by an electric field (E-field). Previously, we have reported that a perfluoropolymer surface provides a curious surface phenomenon of liquid crystals, where an orientational change of molecules, referred to as anchoring transition (ATr), occurs on both cooling and heating. Here, we show the orientational dewetting transition of H state induced by an E-field in the system mentioned above is of strongly first-order, exhibiting a discontinuous H to P orientational transition on heating process. At a certain temperature near the ATr point, thickness of dewetted H layer grows and reaches cell thickness, suggesting a critical-like phenomenon.