Flexoelectric Behavior of a Bimesogenic Liquid Crystal

The effective flexoelectric coefficient and flexoelectric polarization are investigated for a bimesogenic liquid crystal CBC11CB with a twist bend nematic phase (N_tb). The effective flexoelectric coefficients for CBC11CB in the ordinary nematic phase (N) are obtained to be much larger in comparison to conventional calamitics, and is almost twice higher for CBC11CB than that reported for another odd symmetric bimesogen. The flexoelectric polarization (P_f) in the N phase is found to be almost 2.5 times higher than in rod-like molecules. Additionally, P_f is obtained to be much larger in the N_tb phase than in the nematic phase.     

Optical measurement of flexoelectric polarisation change in liquid crystals doped with bent-core molecules using hybrid-aligned structure

We proposed an optical measurement method for determination of flexoelectric polarisation change in liquid crystals (LCs), which can be induced in highly distorted LC geometries. A hybrid-aligned nematic LC (NLC) mode was introduced to evaluate the direction and magnitude of the flexoelectric polarisation. We measured the DC offset amounts for equivalent brightness levels between forward and reverse bias vertical electric fields to estimate the sign and magnitude of e_s?e_b of flexoelectric coefficients. Additionally, the optical incident angle (α_max) for the maximum effective birefringence was investigated to predict the depth distribution of the LC director affecting the magnitude of the flexoelectric polarisation. The relationship between the variations of the DC offset and α_max by the flexoelectric polarisation changes was examined using the NLC mixtures doped with three selected bent-core LCs.     

From understanding structures in antiferro-ferri and ferroelelectric liquid crystals to an unusual electro-optic effect in a bent-core nematic; a celebration of innovative materials

ABSTRACT

The field of liquid crystals is truly multidisciplinary with numerous examples of virtuous circles of interaction between chemistry, physics, theory and engineering resulting in breakthroughs in both fundamental understanding and novel applications. This paper, written to mark John Goodby’s 65th birthday, offers a personal perspective of the synergy between chemistry and physics from a collaboration that has spanned three decades. The first part of the paper reviews some of the physics insights that resulted from chiral liquid crystals fundamental to understanding structures in ferroelectric, ferrielectric and antiferroelectric systems. The second part of the paper describes some of the remarkable consequences of the anomalous elasticity and flexoelectricity found in the nematic phases of bent-core materials. In particular, we present unusual bowing of disclination lines in the nematic phase of a bent-core material in the presence of a field. Finally, the paper summarises some future prospects relating for bent-core materials. The paper by no means captures the amazing breadth of contribution that John’s chemistry has made to the subject, but aims to exemplify how his generous collaborative approach coupled with innovative chemistry and physical insight has led to paradigm changes in our subject.     

挠曲电效应对向列相液晶盒电光效应的影响

研究挠曲电效应对向列相液晶盒电光效应的影响.通过变分理论得到液晶指向矢满足的微分方程和边界条件,利用差分迭代的方法计算强锚定和弱锚定液晶盒中液晶指向矢的分布情况.借助琼斯矩阵的方法,计算两种液晶盒电光特性曲线.此外,在计算中同时考虑了挠曲电表面和体积效应.     

液晶盒中挠曲电效应的计算

负性液晶MBBA在液晶盒中垂面排列,沿面外加电场后产生挠曲电效应.基于液晶弹性理论研究这一效应,基于变分理论得到了液晶指向矢满足的微分方程及边界条件.应用差分迭代方法进行了数值求解.在小角度近似下,得到了指向矢分布的解析解,与数值解和专著结果进行了比较.     

Theoretical analysis of the influence of flexoelectric effect on the defect site in nematic inversion walls

Based on the experimental phenomena of flexoelectric response at defect sites in nematic inversion walls conducted by Kumar et al., we gave the theoretical analysis using the Frank elastic theory. When a direct-current electric field normal to the plane of the substrate is applied to the parallel aligned nematic liquid crystal cell with weak anchoring, the rotation of ± 1 defects in the narrow inversion walls can be exhibited. The free energy of liquid crystal molecules around the +1 and-1 defect sites in the nematic inversion walls under the electric field was formulated and the electric-field-driven structural changes at the defect site characterized by polar and azimuthal angles of the local director were simulated. The results reveal that the deviation of azimuthal angle induced by flexoelectric effect are consistent with the switching of extinction brushes at the +1 and-1 defects obtained in the experiment conducted by Kumar et al.     

Numerical investigation of influence of ionic space charge and flexoelectric polarization on measurements of elastic constants in nematic liquid crystals

Deformations of nematic layers caused by magnetic field allow determination of the elastic constants of liquid crystal. In this paper, we simulated numerically the deformations of planar and homeotropic nematic layers. The flexoelectric properties of the nematic and presence of ions were taken into account. Our aim was to show the influence of flexoelectricity on the results of the real measurement of the elastic constants k₃₃ and k₁₁. In these simulations, we calculated the optical phase difference ΔΦ between the ordinary and extraordinary rays of light passing through the layer placed between crossed polarizers as a function of the magnetic field induction B. One of the elastic constants can be calculated from the magnetic field threshold for deformation. The ratio k₃₃/k₁₁ can be found by means of fitting theoretical ΔΦ(B) dependence to the experimental results. The calculations reveal that the flexoelectric properties influence the deformations induced by the external magnetic field. In the case of highly pure samples, this may lead to false results of measurement of the elastic constants ratio k₃₃/k₁₁. This influence can be reduced if the nematic material contains ions of sufficiently high concentration. These results show that the flexoelectric properties may play an important role, especially in well purified samples.     

FLEXOELECTRIC INSTABILITY IN NEMATIC LIQUID CRYSTAL BETWEEN COAXIAL CYLINDERS

Abstract

The stability of the equilibrium configurations of a nematic liquid crystal confined between two coaxial cylinders is analysed when a radial electric field is applied and the flexoelectric effect is taken into account. The threshold for perturbations depending only on the radius r in the cylindrical coordinate system and strong boundary conditions is studied. A new type of orientational transition caused by pure flexoelectric effect is found.     

固体电介质中的挠曲电效应

挠曲电效应通常描述为非均匀变形如应变梯度引起的电极化或者电场梯度引起的变形.应变梯度能够局部破坏晶体的反演对称从而在材料中诱导电极化,因此挠曲电效应是固体电介质材料中普遍存在的一种力电耦合效应.应变梯度和电场梯度均随材料尺寸的减小而迅速增大,在宏观尺度通常被忽略的挠曲电效应在微纳尺度反而起着非常重要的作用,会显著影响材...