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.
REFERENCES
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The suppression of the helix for the stronger boundary condition to form a unique stable SC monodomain has been demonstrated [
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5.
DOBAMBC is decyloxybenzylidene p′‐amino 2 methyl butyl cinnamate. See Ref. 1;
HOBACPC is hexyloxybenzylidene p′‐amino 2 chloropropyl cinnamate. See
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Sample thickness was determined using the Newton color sequence.
7.
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© 1980 American Institute of Physics.
1980
American Institute of Physics
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