Effect of defects and surface anchoring on the phase behavior of chiral smectic liquid crystals

ABSTRACT

The influence of defects and surface effects on the stability of phenomena accompanying phase transitions, mainly coexistence phenomenon, has been studied. Experimental measurements were carried out by varying the cell thickness and using simple experimental on chiral smectic liquid crystal product. The analysis of the results with different cell thickness leads us to interpret the anomaly shown by our product related to impact of defects and surface effects. Moreover, the phase transition is affected by the trace of defects for thick cell and by the surface effect for thin cell. These effects have the same role as an electric local field which can induce phase transition.

KEYWORDS:

• Chiral smectic liquid crystal
• phase sequence
• electro-optical measurements
• coexistence
• defects and surface effect

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.