Dynamics of ferroelectric liquid crystal showing first order phase transition as studied by dielectric method

Abstract

Dielectric studies of first order phase transition feroelectric liquid crystal, having the phase sequence of chiral nematic to smectic C* phase have been performed in the frequency range of 10Hz to 10MHz in thin(3.5μm) cells. The dielectric processes have been reported in planar and homeotropic aligned cells. It has been observed that in planar alignment the Goldstone mode is dominant in smectic C* phase. In homeotropic align the molecular relaxation and the short axis of the molecule is observed in chid nematic as well as in the smectic C* phase. The surface molecular process due to the deformation of homeotropic alignment in the surface layem, close to the substrates has been detected in Sm C* phase. The experimental results have been analyzed at different temperatures and biasing volatages for the dynamics of dielectric processes in both the alignment geometry in Sm C* and N* phases.