![Sample our Physical Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110819/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Physical-Sciences.jpg"})
Abstract
The continuous rotation of smectic layers in the plane of the substrate under asymmetric electric field application was studied for the ferroelectric smectic C* phase. Investigations of the angular velocity of the smectic layer normal were carried out with respect to electric field time asymmetry, electric field amplitude, frequency and temperature. The results obtained for the continuous rotation of smectic layers are qualitatively consistent with the behavior observed for the angle limited reorientation in cells with monostable boundary conditions. Passing the transition into the paraelectric SmA* phase a strongly vanishing rotation of smectic layers is observed for time asymmetric square wave fields. The presented experimental results are in agreement with a first theoretical model of the smectic layer rotation in chiral smectics.