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Measuring Magnetically-Tuned Ferroelectric Polarization in Liquid Crystals
Published on: August 15, 2018
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Effective long-range interlayer interactions and electric-field-induced subphases in ferrielectric liquid crystals
A D L Chandani1,2, Atsuo Fukuda1, Jagdish K Vij1
1Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Trinity College, The University of Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Physical Review. E
|May 14, 2016
Summary
New research explains electric-field-induced subphases in smectic liquid crystals using a quasimolecular model. This model, incorporating long-range interlayer interactions, clarifies the formation of complex unit cells and their ferroelectric properties.
Area of Science:
- Condensed matter physics
- Materials science
- Liquid crystal physics
Background:
- Smectic liquid crystals exhibit complex phase behavior under external stimuli.
- Electric fields can induce novel stable states (subphases) with large unit cells.
- Understanding the underlying interactions is crucial for predicting and controlling these states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explain the emergence of electric-field-induced subphases in smectic liquid crystals.
- To utilize the quasimolecular model and long-range interlayer interactions (LRILIs) for this explanation.
- To interpret puzzling electric-field-induced birefringence data.
Main Methods:
- Microbeam resonant x-ray scattering experiments to observe subphases.
- Application of the quasimolecular model incorporating Emelyanenko-Osipov LRILIs.
- Introduction of the qE number to quantify frustration in clinicity.
Main Results:
- Observed sequential emergence of subphases with large unit cells (12 and 15 smectic layers).
- The quasimolecular model successfully stabilizes field-induced subphases with composite unit cells.
- Demonstrated modification of ferrielectric blocks to ferroelectric states by applied electric fields.
Conclusions:
- The quasimolecular model provides a robust framework for understanding electric-field-induced subphases.
- LRILIs play a critical role in stabilizing these complex ferroelectric and ferrielectric structures.
- The model offers a potential explanation for observed electric-field-induced birefringence phenomena.
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