NEW BISTABLE ELECTROOPTIC EFFECT IN SIDE-CHAIN FERROELECTRIC LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMER

Transient light scattering upon polarity reversal of applied voltage i n the chiral smectic C (Sm C) phase of ferroelectric liquid crystalli ne polymer (FLCP) has been studied. The response time of the transient light. scattering becomes shorter with increasing applied voltage. Th e continuous opaque state has been obtained by repeated volt age polar ity reversal, At low temperature in the Sm C phase, a new bistable el ectrooptic effect, in which both the transparent and opaque states can be maintained after removing the applied voltage, has been demonstrat ed.