Ferroelectric mesophase with randomized interlayer structure
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026

Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
Damian Pociecha1, Mojca Cepic, Ewa Gorecka
1Chemistry Department, Warsaw University, Zwirki i Wigury 101, 02-089 Warsaw, Poland. pociecha@chem.uw.edu.pl
Abstract:
We present the experimental and theoretical evidence that a new Sm X phase made of asymmetric bent-shaped molecules has a layered, nontilted, optically uniaxial and polarly ordered structure with random direction of the layer polarization. The randomness results from the sign degeneracy of the difference in polarization directions in neighboring layers, although the magnitude of the phase difference is constant. Lifting the degeneracy by external fields two additional structures of the Sm X phase are possible.
Related Concept Videos
Ferromagnetism
The Electrical Double Layer
Dielectric Polarization in a Capacitor
Electrochemical Systems
Imperfections in Crystal Structure: Stoichiometric Point Defects
Electrostatic Boundary Conditions in Dielectrics
Consider a case where both the mediums across a boundary are two different dielectric materials. Recall that the electric field and electric displacement are proportional and related through the material's permittivity.

