A comparison of the flexoelectro-optic effect in the uniform lying helix and standing helix geometries

S. M. Morris; F. Castles; B. J. Broughton; H. J. Coles

doi:10.1117/12.723356

9 May 2007 A comparison of the flexoelectro-optic effect in the uniform lying helix and standing helix geometries

S. M. Morris, F. Castles, B. J. Broughton, H. J. Coles

Proceedings Volume 6587, Liquid Crystals and Applications in Optics; 65871I (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.723356
Event: International Congress on Optics and Optoelectronics, 2007, Prague, Czech Republic

Abstract

The differences and similarities between the flexoelectro-optic effect in chiral nematic liquid crystals in the uniform lying helix geometry and the standing helix geometry have been considered. We present results on the response times measured for a bimesogenic liquid crystal in the uniform lying helix and compare this with the response observed for the standing helix geometry for similar field strengths. For the standing helix geometry an electric field is applied perpendicular to the helix axis by means of parallel gold deposited electrodes which were coated on the surface of one substrate. These electrodes provide a uniform electric field across the sample. From theoretical simulations we find that the response for the two geometries should be identical although, experimentally, some differences are observed. Furthermore, solutions to the governing equations reveal that, unlike the uniform lying helix geometry, the direction of the applied field relative to the alignment of the liquid crystal at the surface boundaries is of importance to the overall response. These results are compared with experimental observations.

Citation Download Citation

S. M. Morris, F. Castles, B. J. Broughton, and H. J. Coles "A comparison of the flexoelectro-optic effect in the uniform lying helix and standing helix geometries", Proc. SPIE 6587, Liquid Crystals and Applications in Optics, 65871I (9 May 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.723356

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