Electric field effects on biphenyl smecticAliquid crystals

摘要

Generally, smectic liquid crystals do not exhibit any effects when electric fields are applied. We report here a new alignment effect in a smecticAliquid crystal due to an ac electric field. This effect has been observed on several biphenyl smecticAliquid crystals. Results for the focal conic to homeotropic transition in the smectic phase are given. Several parametershyphen;temperature, voltage, and frequencyhyphen;are discussed.