Ferroelectric smectic C (FSC) liquid crystals are used in a simple new geometry that allows the spontaneous formation of either of two surface‐stabilized smectic C monodomains of opposite ferroelectric polarization. These domains are separated by well‐defined walls which may be manipulated with an applied electric field. The resulting electro‐optic effects exhibit a unique combination of properties: microsecond dynamics, threshold behavior, symmetric bistability, and a large electro‐optic response.

1.
R. B.
Meyer
,
L.
Liebert
,
L.
Strzelecki
, and
P.
Keller
,
J. Phys. Lett.
36
,
L69
–
71
(
1975
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
2.
P.
Martinot‐Lagarde
,
J. Phys. (Paris)
37‐C3
,
129
–
132
(
1976
).
Google Scholar
 
3.
The suppression of the helix for the stronger boundary condition γ1 = 0, γ2 = Ω0 to form a unique stable SC monodomain has been demonstrated [
M.
Brunet
 and
C.
Williams
,
Ann. Phys.
3
,
237
–
248
(
1978
)].
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
4.
S. Garoff, Ph.D. thesis, Harvard University, 1977 (unpublished).
5.
DOBAMBC is decyloxybenzylidene p′‐amino 2 methyl butyl cinnamate. See Ref. 1;
HOBACPC is hexyloxybenzylidene p′‐amino 2 chloropropyl cinnamate. See
P.
Keller
,
S.
Juge
,
L.
Liebert
, and
L.
Strzelecki
,
C. R. A. S.
282C
,
639
–
641
(
1976
). Both compounds have isotropic‐SA‐SC‐SF phases.
Google Scholar
 
6.
Sample thickness was determined using the Newton color sequence.
7.
P.
Martinot‐Lagarde
,
J. Phys. (Paris) Lett.
38
,
L17
–
19
(
1977
).
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1980 American Institute of Physics.
1980
American Institute of Physics
You do not currently have access to this content.