Electric and Magnetic Field Investigations of the Periodic Gridlike Deformation of a Cholesteric Liquid Crystal

Abstract

We have observed a two-dimensional, gridlike deformation of a cholesteric liquid crystal in a magnetic field, proving that this periodic structure does not require space charge or fluid flow. The frequency response of the threshold voltage in an electric field shows that there is a continuous transformation from the pure dielectric to the electrohydrodynamic regime. Investigations near Grandjean-Cano disclinations show the considerable effect of torsional strain on the threshold values.