Static and dynamic properties of ferroelectric liquid crystal and their novel applications

The properties of ferroelectric and polymeric ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLC and PFLC) have been studied as functions of molecular structure, bias voltage and boundary conditions. Anomalous rotation of the smectic layer has been observed in the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases. The direction of the rotation is reversible with the polarity reversal of the applied voltage. The transition temperature (Tc) from smectic A to smectic C* becomes higher with decreasing thickness in free-standing FLC films. On the other hand, Tc in the free-standing PFLC film is similar to that of thick sandwich cell. Electro-optic effects in FLC and PFLC in spin-coated films, free-standing films and in sandwich cells have also been clarified.