Flexoelectricity In Liquid Crystals: Theory, Experiments And Applications

Flexoelectricity In Liquid Crystals: Theory, Experiments And Applications
Author: Agnes Buka
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 299
Release: 2012-09-21
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1908977299

The book intends to give a state-of-the-art overview of flexoelectricity, a linear physical coupling between mechanical (orientational) deformations and electric polarization, which is specific to systems with orientational order, such as liquid crystals.Chapters written by experts in the field shed light on theoretical as well as experimental aspects of research carried out since the discovery of flexoelectricity. Besides a common macroscopic (continuum) description the microscopic theory of flexoelectricity is also addressed. Electro-optic effects due to or modified by flexoelectricity as well as various (direct and indirect) measurement methods are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the role of flexoelectricity in pattern-forming instabilities.While the main focus of the book lies in flexoelectricity in nematic liquid crystals, peculiarities of other mesophases (bent-core systems, cholesterics, and smectics) are also reviewed. Flexoelectricity has relevance to biological (living) systems and can also offer possibilities for technical applications. The basics of these two interdisciplinary fields are also summarized./a

Influence of Flexoelectric Effect on Director Alignment of Nematic Liquid Crystals in Axial Arrangement Cylindrical Cells

Influence of Flexoelectric Effect on Director Alignment of Nematic Liquid Crystals in Axial Arrangement Cylindrical Cells
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

Abstract : A positive nematic liquid crystal (5CB) sample is confined in cylindrical cells under strong or weak axial anchoring boundary conditions when a radial nonuniform low-frequency electric field is applied and the flexoelectric effect is taken into account. Based on the Frank elastic free energy, the surface energy of the Rapini–Papoular approximation, the polarization free energy and the flexoelectric free energy caused by electric field, we obtain the free energy density of the nematic and solve the corresponding Euler–Lagrange equation numerically. We investigate the director distribution, the critical voltage and the critical exponent of nematic liquid crystal in cylindrical cells. It follows that the critical exponent is the classical one. It is also shown that the critical voltage in the system is affected by the flexoelectric effect, the geometric effect and radial weak anchoring effect on the cylindrical surfaces. A new type of director transition caused by the flexoelectric effect, the dielectric coupling effect and the radial weak anchoring effect is found.

An Elementary Course on the Continuum Theory for Nematic Liquid Crystals

An Elementary Course on the Continuum Theory for Nematic Liquid Crystals
Author: Giovanni Barbero
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company Incorporated
Total Pages: 367
Release: 2001
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9789810232245

This book was written to enable physicists and engineers to learn, within a single course, some topics in variational calculus, theory of elasticity, molecular models, and surface properties of nematic materials. It prepares graduate students for studies that require a simple knowledge in the physics of nematic liquid crystals.With this consideration in mind, the authors have formulated the problems concerning the continuum theory of liquid crystals into a precise form. In working out the solutions, they have analyzed, systematically and naturally, the techniques and methods of variational calculus. Special attention is dedicated to the analysis of well-posed and ill-posed variational problems. The presence of sub-surface discontinuity in the nematic orientation is analyzed using different techniques. A full chapter is devoted to this aspect of the theory of elasticity of nematic media.

Flexoelectricity in Nematic Liquid Crystals

Flexoelectricity in Nematic Liquid Crystals
Author: Claudius Kischka
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2011
Genre:
ISBN:

Flexoelectricity in liquid crystals is thought to be due to a coupling between dielectric properties and shape anisotropy of the molecules and described by the fiexoelectric coefficients el and e3. Two experiments are needed to measure el and e3 and it is usual to measure the difference (el - e3) and the sum (el + e3) and then calculate el and e3· The first experiment to measure the difference (el - e3) uses a TN structure with an in-plane applied electric field. Due to the dielectric coupling, the director aligns with the electric field and due to the fiexoelectric effect, the director tilts out of plane. This tilt is measured optically using two laser beams at oblique incidence, e.g. 45°. Using a theoretical model the experimental data is fitted and the difference (el - e3) extracted. The second experiment to measure the sum (el + e3) uses a Pi cell. Applying an ac voltage the transmission through the device is a repeating oscillating signal which contains 1st and 2nd harmonics. The 1st harmonic corresponds to the fiexoelectric effect and the 2nd harmonic to the dielectric effect. Using a lock-in amplifier, the harmonics were measured and the sum (el + e3) extracted using a theoretical model to fit the experimental data. Unfortunately, the data proved the experiment to be unreliable and another method was developed, which uses a BAN cell. The third experiment uses simple pulses in a BAN cell and also measures the sum (el + e3). The big disadvantage of the BAN cell is an internal voltage, which is created by the homeotropic alignment layer and the fiexoelectric polarisation. The internal voltage has the same effect on the director profile as the fiexoelectric effect, which is a big problem in measuring fiexoelectricity. Using a material, which is non ionic and has no fiexoelectricity, the internal bias could be measured and taken into account. Applying short de pulses of opposite sign, the fiexoelectric effect can be observed by the optical response and can be measured. Using these experiments, a number of investigation are being carried out such as the correlation between fiexoelectricity and the molecular structure, ions, elastic properties, molecular orientation, dielectric anisotropy 6E, and order parameter S. The results showed that fiexoelectricity only depends on ions and dielectric properties which was very interesting and surprising at the same time.

Electrooptic Effects in Liquid Crystal Materials

Electrooptic Effects in Liquid Crystal Materials
Author: Lev Mikhaĭlovich Blinov
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 492
Release: 1996-05-24
Genre: Gardening
ISBN: 9780387947082

Electrooptic effects provide the basis for much liquid-crystal display technology. This book, by two of the leaders in liquid-crystal research in Russia, presents a complete and accessible treatment of virtually all known phenomena occurring in liquid crystals under the influence of electric fields.

Introduction to Liquid Crystals

Introduction to Liquid Crystals
Author: E. Priestly
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 358
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1468421751

The existence of liquid crystals has been known for nearly a centu ry; yet it is only in the last ten years that their unique optical, electri cal, electro-optic, and thermal properties have been exploited to any significant extent in such technological applications as digital d~ plays and thermography. Digital watches equipped with liquid-crys tal displays (LCD's) have recently made their debut in the electronic watch market, and the large-scale use of LCD's in a variety of other applications requiring reliable, low-power digital displays is immi nent. There is good reason to believe that liquid crystals will be the first electro-optic materials to find widespread commercial use. Apart from applications, liquid crystals are unique among the phases of matter. Lurking beneath their garish display of color and texture is a great complexity of physical and chemical interaction that is only now beginning to unfold in the face of a decade-old resurgence in all aspects of liquid~rystal research. RCA Laboratories has participated in this resurgence from its beginning in the early 1960's and at present maintains active liquid-crystal programs both in basic re search and in device engineering. In view of the widespread interest in liquid crystals at RCA Labo ratories, an in-house weekly seminar devoted to the subject of liquid crystals was organized in the fall of 1973. The resulting lectures were subsequently published in three issues of the RCA Review and, with the incorporation of much additional material, eventually grew into the present volume.

Flexoelectricity in Liquid Crystals

Flexoelectricity in Liquid Crystals
Author: Agnes Buka
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 299
Release: 2013
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1848167997

The book intends to give a state-of-the-art overview of flexoelectricity, a linear physical coupling between mechanical (orientational) deformations and electric polarization, which is specific to systems with orientational order, such as liquid crystals. Chapters written by experts in the field shed light on theoretical as well as experimental aspects of research carried out since the discovery of flexoelectricity. Besides a common macroscopic (continuum) description the microscopic theory of flexoelectricity is also addressed. Electro-optic effects due to or modified by flexoelectricity as well as various (direct and indirect) measurement methods are discussed. Special emphasis is given to the role of flexoelectricity in pattern-forming instabilities. While the main focus of the book lies in flexoelectricity in nematic liquid crystals, peculiarities of other mesophases (bent-core systems, cholesterics, and smectics) are also reviewed. Flexoelectricity has relevance to biological (living) systems and can also offer possibilities for technical applications. The basics of these two interdisciplinary fields are also summarized.