Linear flexo-electro-optic effect in a hybrid aligned nematic liquid crystal cell

Abstract

A hybrid aligned nematic liquid crystal sample presents a bulk flexo-electric polarization P. The coupling of P with an external electric field normal to the bounding plates allows, for weak anchoring, a texture distortion. We report a new linear flexo-electro-optic effect in such a cell with a weak anchoring, which presents an electrically controlled birefringence. The results also indicate that the sin2 θs, form of the surface anchoring energy is inadequate when the surface angle θs is large. Low voltage screening by counterions is also discussed.