Electric field-induced phase transitions in a smectic chiral liquid crystal

• Published in: Liquid crystals Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 359 - 364
• Main Authors: Essid, S., Bitri, N., Dhaouadi, H., Gharbi, A., Marcerou, J. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 22-06-2009; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: chirality; Electric fields; Ferroelectrics; Liquid crystal polymers; phase diagram; Phase transitions; Temperature; Thermodynamics; tilted smectic liquid crystal
• ISSN: 0267-8292; 1366-5855
• DOI: 10.1080/02678290902898182

The (E-T) phase diagram of the chiral smectic liquid crystal C7F2 has been established by varying the two thermodynamic parameters: temperature (T) and electric field (E). In its bulk state without field, the studied compound exhibits only the SmA,
and the
phases. These ground phases are transformed into the ferroelectric SmC* phase under high field with an intermediate ferrielectric phase appearing at lower field in the temperature range around the
to
phase transition.