New electromechanical effect in chiral smectic C* liquid crystals

Abstract

A new electromechanical effect has been found in planar oriented S c liquid crystals under the influence of an applied alternating electric field. A part from the well-known electrooptical effects a mechanical vibration has been observed in a direction parallel to the smectic layers and perpendicular to the electric field Observation de vibrations mecaniques induites par un champ electrique alternatif, dans la direction parallele aux couches smectiques et perpendiculairement au champ electrique