DYNAMIC-RESPONSE OF MOLECULAR-ORIENTATION IN FERROELECTRIC LIQUID-CRYSTALS

Numerical solutions of the equation of motion that governs the dynamics of molecular orientation in ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) are presented. The solutions illustrate novel electrooptic effects in FLCs. The authors treat the switching by an applied electrical pulse between two optically distinct stable states, and calculate the requisite pulse width for switching as a function of pulse amplitude. It is shown that with appropriate liquid crystal cell preparation, switching between four distinct states is feasible.