The New Role of Alignment Layers in Bistable Switching of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals. Numerical Simulation and Experimental Results

Abstract

The switching dynamics for the “bookshelf” and “chevron” geometry in surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals (SSFLC) has been investigated by numerical simulation and experimentally. We have studied the electrooptical switching in FLC cells oriented by different alignment layers and proposed a new anchoring model for surface stabilized states. According to the model, the difference between zenithal and azimuthal anchoring strength with account of electric properties of the alighnment layers and FLC is of crucial significance for the existence of the bistable states. We formulated general criteria (necessary and sufficient conditions) for the inverse and normal bistable switching. These criteria involve all the principal parameters of the alignment layers and FLC material.