Linear electro-optic effects in liquid crystals

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Abstract
The liquid crystal electro-optic effects which are linear in their coupling to an electric field are reviewed. These effects are found in materials which intrinsically, or in their configuration, lack mirror symmetry and may be divided into two main classes, in which the response- variable itself (for instance the induced tilt of the optic axis) is a linear or nonlinear function of the field. Whether the basic coupling is ferroelectric, paraelectric (dielectric) or flexoelectric in origin, the effects have essentially the same symmetry properties and show remarkable similarities in their device performance. While the first devices are beginning to emerge, these effects in particular constitute a considerable potential for future exploitation, based on their unique properties. Our examples discussed in this paper include para-, ferro-, antiferro-, and flexoelectric devices in chiral nematic and smectic (N*, A*, C*) phases. Among these the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric devices stand out as being particularly powerful and promising.

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