Analysis of an Electric Field Sensor using Distortion of Helical Structure of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal

Abstract

In this study, analysis of an electric field sensor using an electro optical effect by distortion of a helical structure of a ferroelectric liquid crystal was carried out. When a sine wave electric field of commercial frequency (60 Hz) was applied to a ferroelectric liquid crystal and a transmitted light intensity in a crossed nicols optical system was measured, the amplitude of the transmitted light was proportional to the amplitude of the applied electric field. In order to pursue a molecular arrangement in the helical structure, a free energy of liquid crystal was evaluated and the electro optical effect was simulated by the pursued molecular arrangement. As a result, the linear property of the electro optical effect was explained with the molecular distortion.