Electrohydrodynamic instabilities in chiral smectic C cells

Experimental results are presented on the optical response of chiral smectic C cells of various thicknesses (between 2 and 9 μm) on AC voltages. For part of the voltage and frequency range the electric field induces patterns of disclination lines. The threshold voltages for these electrohydrodynamic instabilities turn out to be independent of the cell thickness for 4, 6, and 9 μm cell gaps. In the 2 μm cells, structural changes of the chiral smectic C texture are found at voltages below the threshold for the instabilities. The applicability of the Carr-Helfrich model for electrohydrodynamic instabilities in nematics to these chiral smectic C layers is discussed.