Deformation and instability of nematic drops in an external electric field

The behavior of nematic liquid-crystal drops freely suspended in an isotropic liquid polymer exposed to an external electric field was studied. A giant deformation was observed for the drop. As the field intensity increased, its equilibrium shape took the form of a prolate ellipsoid. The dependences of the shape and critical fields on the concentration of ions in the polymer liquid were established. A plausible theoretical explanation is suggested for the observed effect. The experimental dependence of drop size on the electric-field strength is analyzed, and the conditions for the loss of drop stability are determined.