Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-w7rtg Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-12T07:09:40.929Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The effect of the elastic constants on the alignment and electro-optic behaviour of smectic C liquid crystals

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 1997

C. V. BROWN
Affiliation:
Defence Research Agency, St. Andrews Road, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 3PS, UK
P. E. DUNN
Affiliation:
Defence Research Agency, St. Andrews Road, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 3PS, UK
J. C. JONES
Affiliation:
Defence Research Agency, St. Andrews Road, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 3PS, UK

Abstract

The static electro-optic behaviour of achiral smectic C samples in the chevron geometry have been modelled using the continuum theory of Leslie et al. [1]. The model assumes that the layer tilt and smectic C director tilt angle are constant, and treats the layers at the chevron interface as an infinitely bound surface. Comparison of the predicted electro-optic behaviour with experimental results gives values for the bend (B1) and splay (B2) c-director elastic constants. However, more detailed optical studies show that surface and chevron interface terms become important at high values of applied electric field.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

British Crown copyright 1996/ORA. Published with permission of the controller of H.M.S.O.