Smectic Layer Reformation by AC Electric Field Treatment and Change in Dielectric Properties of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals.

Abstract

Smectic layer reformation from chevron to quasi-bookshelf structures by strong AC electric fields and accompanying changes in physical properties were examined. Layer reformation took place at a threshold value of the amplitude, and the spontanious polarization (Ps) and the apparent tilt angle (θ) show a stepwise change. The absolute values of Ps and θ in the cells ticker than 10μm are independent of cell thickness, but in the cells thinner than 10 μm, are decreasing with decreasing cell thickness. The experimental results were discussed on the basis of surface freezing layers.