Bistability and domain wall motion in smectic C phases induced by strong electric fields

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Abstract
The director configuration in smectic C phases is bistable in strong electric fields for suitable field directions with respect to the smectic layer planes. Therefore different domains separated by walls are possible. Bistability can be accompanied by director reorientation which causes domain wall motion and pronounced hysteresis effects. Transitions of this type have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically.