Abstract
A variational approach is used to derive equations describing orientation of molecules in a thin freely suspended ferroelectric smectic C* film in a constant electric field applied along the film surface. The equilibrium configuration of director orientations is determined from the solution of the Euler-Lagrange equation. It is shown that the external field reorients molecules in the liquid-crystal film in a nonthreshold manner.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. Jakli, L. Bata, A. Buka, and N. Eber, Ferroelectrics 69, 153 (1986).
S. V. Yablonskiĭ, A. S. Makhaĭlov, K. Nakano, et al., Zh. Éksp. Teor. Fiz. 120, 109 (2001) [JETP. 93, 94 (2001)].
L. D. Landau and E. M. Lifshitz, Course of Theoretical Physics, Vol. 7: Theory of Elasticity (Nauka, Moscow, 1987; Pergamon, New York, 1986).
P. de Gennes, The Physics of Liquid Crystals (Clarendon, Oxford, 1974; Mir, Moscow, 1977).
L. M. Blinov, Electro-Optical and Magneto-Optical Properties of Liquid Crystals (Nauka, Moscow, 1978; Wiley, New York, 1993).
S. A. Pikin, Structural Transformations in Liquid Crystals (Nauka, Moscow, 1981) [in Russian].
B. A. Strukov and A. P. Levanyuk, Ferroelectric Phenomena in Crystals (Nauka, Moscow, 1995; Springer, Geidelberg, 1998).
V. P. Romanov and S. V. Ul’yanov, Usp. Fiz. Nauk 173, 941 (2003) [Phys. Usp. 46, 915 (2003)].
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Original Russian Text © V.P. Romanov, S.V. Ul’yanov, K.G. Chernyak, 2008, published in Zhurnal Tekhnicheskoĭ Fiziki, 2008, Vol. 78, No. 2, pp. 1–5.