Polarization Reversal Process and Light Scattering in Ferroelectric Liquid Crystalline Polymer

Abstract

Two type of electrooptic effects, a transient scattering mode(TSM) at the instant of polarity reversal of applied voltage and a deformation of helicoidal structure(DHS) effect upon applying stepwise voltage in the chiral smectic C (Sm C^*) phase of ferroelectric liquid crystalline polymer(FLCP) have been studied. The response times of TSM and DHS effect become shorter with increasing applied field and temperature. A stripe pattern parallel to the smectic layer has been observed at the instant of polarity reversal. This stripe pattern has been maintained after removal of pulse voltage. New electrooptic effects utilizing the characteristics of FLCP has been discussed.