Abstract
Abstract We have observed that the application of a DC or AC field to a cell containing one of several new LCs materials in the helical smectic A (TGBA) phase (cell surfaces treated for parallel alignment) irreversibly converts the sample to a normal smectic A state in the bookshelf geometry. This observation may be due in part to a large electroclinic effect exhibited by the materials as well as the anchoring properties of the rubbed alignment layer. The threshold voltage for the field induced transition is dependent on temperature. Two different textures are observed: The TGBA shows a bright colorful texture while the induced A state shows a uniform monodomain that can be rotated into extinction between crossed polarizers. The existence of the TGBA phase for one of the new materials is confirmed in freely suspended thin films. Finally, this field induced transition may be exploited to create a novel laser-addressed LC display device.
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