Electrooptic response of smectic O and smectic O

Abstract
We present the results of our investigations on the electrooptic properties of the smectic O and O* phases of m7tac (1-methylheptyl terephthalylidene-bis-4-aminocinnamate). At low voltages, we observed striking electrochromic effects and, in O* at high voltages, a field induced phase transition. Freely suspended thick films of m7tac in the O and O* phases are weakly biaxial. A framework is proposed to account for our observations.