Modulated structures with field-controlled direction and periodicity in SmC* liquid crystals

A stable modulated structure in the form of stripes occurs in SmC* liquid c rystal cells well below the SmA-SmC* transition point, without any applied or pre-applied electric field. The periodicity of the modulations is much s maller than the cell thickness. The stripes are tilted away from the rub di rection of the cell. A low applied voltage changes both the periodicity and orientation of the stripes, allowing for electric field control of optical diffraction at the stripes.