Bistability of a ferroelectric liquid crystal in an electric field

Abstract

Bistability in a ferroelectric smectic-C # liquid crystal (C #LC) is attained in an electric field exceeding a certain threshold value that pedents on the adhesion energy of the C #LC to the surface. The case of bistability where the equilibrium orientation angles do not coincide for the polar and dispersed components of the C #LC adhesion energy is examined separately. In this case the bistability is achieved with a twisted directrix for the C #LC