Field-induced dynamics of ferroelectric liquid crystals with elastic interfacial confinement

Abstract

Dynamic properties of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals driven by an alternating external electric field and confined inside measuring cells by air are studied. Using the electro-optic response method, it has been possible to register response spectra of small parts of liquid crystals near surfaces of their contact with air. This has allowed the direct determination of the dependence of changes of such partial electro-optic response spectra on the distance of illuminated liquid-crystal areas from the contact surfaces. The interfacial dynamic processes are found to enhance considerably the electro-optic response over relatively large distances from contact surfaces, within a wide range of field frequencies. Experimental data obtained from the used approach to determine the fragmentary electro-optic response indicate that the approach can be very effective for studying various interfacial phenomena in thin liquid-crystal systems.