The relationship between the smectic C director and layer profiles and the surface anchoring energies

Abstract

The surface orientation of the smectic C director depends on the smectic layer configuration, the zenithal and azimuthal anchoring energies and the surface pretilt. A suitable surface energy is introduced and used to make predictions of the transition temperature between the two chevron layer profiles, Cl and C2. Simple optical measurements are used to determine the ratio of the azimuthal and zenithal anchoring terms. The results are used to predict the Cl to C2 transition temperature in a typical ferroelectric liquid crystal.