A Method for Molecular Alignment of Ferroelectric Smectic Liquid Crystal: Combination of Metal Oxide Thin Film and Electric Field

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Abstract
A method for molecular alignment of a ferroelectric smectic liquid crystal is reported. Homeotropic alignment with a small angle of pretilt was obtained by surface treatment with oblique deposition of metal oxide, such as yttria and alumina. Furthermore, an electric field was applied during the cooling period from isotropic liquid to chiral smectic phase. Uniformly pretilted alignment could be obtained by using the oblique deposition and DC field application. On the other hand, a twisted alignment was obtained on the obliquely deposited metal oxide film when an AC electric field was applied instead of a DC field. Electrooptical characteristics of these cells are shown.