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 θ s is large. Low voltage screening by counterions is also discussed.