Visible polarized light transmission spectroscopy of the electro-optic switching behaviour of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal cells

Abstract

We present in this paper an experimental and theoretical modelling study of the switching characteristics and electro-optic behaviour of chevron surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal cells with planar (low pre-tilt) and non-planar (high pre-tilt) surface conditions. The visible polarized light transmission spectra were taken of the cells with glass plates coated with films of either rubbed polymer or obliquely evaporated silicon monoxide (SiO) at various applied voltages and in various stages of switching and compared with the theoretical values calculated numerically based on our director-polarization structure model for the aforementioned cells. The results provide evidence for the origin of differences in domain shape and contrast in the switching process between planar and non-planar chevron surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal cells.