Electric field effects on biphenyl smectic A liquid crystals

Abstract
Generally, smectic liquid crystals do not exhibit any effects when electric fields are applied. We report here a new alignment effect in a smectic A liquid crystal due to an ac electric field. This effect has been observed on several biphenyl smectic A liquid crystals. Results for the focal conic to homeotropic transition in the smectic phase are given. Several parameters‐temperature, voltage, and frequency‐are discussed.

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