Abstract
A study of the alignment of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) on various obliquely deposited silicon oxide substrates is presented. The FLC is further aligned by an electric field >10 V/μm at 10 hz. Improved bistability and full cone-angle switching are achieved for 10 nm small angle depositions set at a glancing angle of 5° to the substrate. Thicker depositions ±30 nm inhibit full cone-angle switching. Flow effects consistent with piezoelectric flow are observed at high electric fields and khz frequencies.