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Field-induced texture transitions in a bent-core nematic liquid crystal

R. Stannarius1, A. Eremin1, M.-G. Tamba2, G. Pelzl2, and W. Weissflog2

  • 1Institute of Experimental Physics, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Universitätsplatz 2, D-39106 Magdeburg, Germany
  • 2Institute of Physical Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle, Mühlpforte 1, D-06108 Halle, Germany

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Phys. Rev. E 76, 061704 – Published 26 December, 2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.061704

Abstract

It is demonstrated in electro-optic experiments that an external electric field of the order of 105 V/m induces persisting texture transitions in a nematic phase formed by bent-core mesogens. The field-induced metastable state is identified by its optical and electric properties. After the field is switched off, the original and induced states can coexist in domains for about one hour in planar sandwich cells. During this time, the induced domains gradually shrink but they can be stabilized in moderate electric fields. The occurrence of similar domains in homeotropic cells suggests that the transition into a metastable biaxial state is observed. In the field-free planar ground state, the formation of inversion walls is observed inside the metastable domains.

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Phys. Rev. E 76, 061704– Published 26 December, 2007
  • Received 3 December 2006

© 2007 American Physical Society

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