Alignment layer and helix controlled unconventional operational switching in ferroelectric liquid crystal

Abstract

Substrate interface driven helical unwinding led dynamical switching is observed and analysed for the low voltage operation switching of ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC). The surface driven FLC molecules force the bulk molecules to switch the sample cell device at very low voltage as compared to conventional cells. It has been shown in the present investigation using three FLC materials that the surface anchoring of the FLC molecules and the thickness of the cell play a primary role for such devices because these conditions contrive the surface interface particle helical unwinding which is very essential for the low power switching. However, P s, helical pitch value, and the dielectric strength parameters of the FLC materials are also taken into account for the analysis of bulk switching assisted by interfacial switching. Dielectric and electro-optics investigation has proven that once the relaxation process associated with the interface is confirmed by dielectric spectra then only, the low power operation is observed in the sample which is interesting for fundamental and potential electro optical devices application.