Backflow effects in SSFLC switching

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Abstract
Backflow effects are familiar from twisted nematic devices, occurring when the electric field director reorientation initiates transient flow of the liquid crystal. We have been exploring similar effects in Surface Stabilized Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal (SSFLC) cells, carrying out computer simulations of coupled director reorientation--flow transients. Our simulations are based on an elastohydrodynamic model of the smectic C phase which accounts explicitly for its biaxial symmetry and layer structure. The elastic and dissipative constants used in the model are obtained from smectic C data or estimated on the basis of nematic values. The simulations show that under some circumstances, particularly in response to a reversal applied electric field, backflow can drastically alter the electro-optical response speed.

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