Flexoelectrically induced polarization in polar smectic films

Abstract

Phenomenological model of racemic ferroelectric and antiferroelectric liquid crystals, which considers both the tilt and the polarization order parameters explicitly, is presented. Free-standing films with few layers are analyzed within the model. Due to the flexoelectric coupling between the tilt and the polarization, a polarization appears in the tilt plane. Results of the theoretical analysis are compared with experimental observations.

Keywords:

• ferroelectric liquid crystal
• antiferroelectric liquid crystal
• racemic sample
• syn- clinic order
• anticlinic order
• free-standing film