Optical determination of flexoelectric coefficients and surface polarization in a hybrid aligned nematic cell

A. Mazzulla, F. Ciuchi, and J. R. Sambles
Phys. Rev. E 64, 021708 – Published 24 July 2001
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Abstract

We present an optical study of the influence of both the flexoelectric effect and surface polarization on a hybrid-aligned nematic cell using the half-leaky guided mode technique. Tilt angle profiles, obtained from fits of experimental data (reflectivity curves) taken under applied voltages, are compared with the ones derived by a complete theoretical model. Measurements with an applied alternating voltage allow the evaluation of the anchoring energy by solving the torque balance equation at the planar surface. From measurements with static fields, the sum of flexoelectric coefficients and the surface polarization are determined by numerical solution of Euler-Lagrange equations.

  • Received 18 December 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.64.021708

©2001 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. Mazzulla* and F. Ciuchi

  • Unità INFM di Cosenza, Dipartimento di Fisica, Università della Calabria, Rende, Italy

J. R. Sambles

  • Thin Film Photonics Group, School of Physics, Exeter University, Exeter, Great Britain

  • *Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Email address: Mazzulla@fis.unical.it

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Vol. 64, Iss. 2 — August 2001

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