Polarization switching properties of SSFLCs interms of the surface anchoring effect

Abstract

Polarization switching properties in terms of the surface anchoring effect were investigated. We investigated the effect on polarization switching properties by setting the following parameters; Pre-tilt angle at the interface between alignment layer and the liquid crystal molecule: Layer structure in SmC^* phase of the FLCs: Compression and Expansion environments to the FLC cells. Low frequency and low voltage applications on to each pre-tilt cell suggest that the low pre-tilt chevron geometry provides stronger surface anchoring effect. Low pre-tilt bookshelf geometry which is realized by the naphthalene base FLCs, however, indicates whole LC molecule's switchings including the interface area. This conclusion is also supported by the polarization switching study under the compression and expansion environment.