The influence of finite dimensions on the static ordering of the S*_C phase in an electric field

Abstract

A ferroelectric liquid-crystalline sample of a finite length along the helical axis is studied in an external electric field applied perpendicular to the helical axis. By taking into account the linear coupling to the field, the equilibrium state is found for the case of free boundary conditions. Just below the critical field which induces the transition into the homogeneous S*_C phase the domain-like structure appears as in the case of an infinite sample. The helical period in a finite sample is not a continuous function of the field, but it increases in finite jumps. We show that the finiteness of the sample has also an influence on the dielectric response at zero field.