Focal Conic Structures in Homogeneously Aligned Chiral Smectic C Liquid-Crystal Cells

Abstract
The focal conic structure in homogeneously aligned chiral smectic C liquid-crystal cells is investigated by means of high-resolution X-ray analysis and polarizing microscopic observation. In the case of thick cells, ellipses of focal conics were observed to be densely distributed. Their sizes were widely distributed, but their shapes were all similar, and their long axes were all parallel to the rubbing direction. This type of cell showed almost the same X-ray diffraction pattern with the uniform chevron cell.