Electric field induced domain structure in ferroelectric liquid crystal DOBAMBC

Abstract The influence of an ac electric field on the helical pitch in ferroelectric liquid crystal DOBAMBC has been investigated in a broad range of frequency. The role of the permanent polarization and dielectric anisotropy in the helix unwinding process were studied. The formation of a periodic domain structure under influence of ac electric field was observed. The period of this structure decreases with increasing ac electric field frequency. The possible mechanisms leading to the observed periodic domain structure and its behavior in ac electric field are discussed. The experimental results are compared with predictions of the Dmitrienko-Belyakov and Martinot-Lagarde models.