Abstract
Solid like ER characteristic in SmecticA phase of a liquid crystal have been investigated utilizing a parallel-plate type rheometer. Since the smectic liquid crystal has the yield property which is controllable with electric field and temperature conditions, the strength of the alignment structure in the SmecticA phase is experimentally examined from the change in yield stress under various conditions. Direct observation of the yield process was also conducted and it is found that the structure was partially collapsed at the first stage in yield process under the DC electric field. Moreover, it is newly found that the structure in the yield process had partially elastic recoverable strain.
