Some new types of electrohydrodynamic flow patterns in nematic liquid crystals

Abstract

Electrohydrodynamic flow patterns in a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal have been studied employing a geometry in which the observation direction is along the optic axis of the undistorted sample and the electric field direction perpendicular to it. A possible mechanism for the observed pattern, which is consistent with the Carr-Helfrich model, is discussed.

Interesting new observations are also described of dc and ac field induced distortions of nematic droplets suspended in the isotropic phase at the nematic-isotropic transition temperature.