Temperature and electric field effects on the helical pitch in a ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture

Abstract
The temperature and electric field (DC as well as AC) dependence of the helical pitch of ferroelectric liquid crystal mixture, FCS 101 has been studied. The helical pitch of the compound was found to be strongly temperature dependent. It attains a peak at (Tc−T) = 0.8°C and then sharply decreases to zero at Tc . The behaviour of helical structure under DC as well as AC field has been studied experimentally. The results obtained have been discussed in the light of the present theories.