Electrohydrodynamic instabilities in smectic C

Abstract

The domain patterns arising under d. c. and a. c. excitation on the p-heptyloxybenzoic acid in smectic C phase are experimentally examined. The dependences of the threshold voltages on the frequency, temperature and cell thicknesses are investigated. A critical frequency [math] is found. Its dependence on the temperature and cell thickness is presented. The times for formation and break up of smectic C domains are investigated as depending on the frequency and intensity of applied electric field. A comparison with the electrohydrodynamic instability in nematics liquid crystals is given.