Influence of Azimuth Anchoring on Bistable Properties of Bistable Nematic Liquid Crystal Cells

Abstract

A theoretical expression for a range of the d/P0 ratio in which two distinct states exist in the equilibrium condition has been derived as a function of Asa0d/K, where Asa0 is the azimuthal anchoring energy, K the elastic constant and d the cell thickness. An expression for the lower limit of azimuthal anchoring energy exhibiting two distinct states has been derived. Theoretical calculations have been performed on the bi-stable energy curve which has two minimal energy levels corresponding to bi-stable states. It has been shown that the energy barrier between the two states mainly originates from the azimuthal anchoring energy and the height of the energy barrier is affected by the d/P0 ratio and cell thickness.