FREEDERICKSZ TRANSITIONS IN SPHERICAL DROPLETS OF SMECTIC-C LIQUID-CRYSTALS

In this paper we use continuum theory to examine Freedericksz transiti ons in spherical layers of smectic C liquid crystal contained between a cone and a plate. Critical magnetic-field strengths which induce the se transitions are obtained for two types of boundary conditions, such critical thresholds being related to certain elastic constants. A non linear energy comparison demonstrates that the resulting perturbed sol utions of the Euler-Lagrange equations are energetically more favourab le for fields above these critical thresholds.