FERROELECTRICITY IN LIQUID-CRYSTALS AND ITS APPLICATIONS

We present an overview of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) from th e beginning to the current status in use of these materials for fast a nd gray scale displays. Starting with the physical origin of ferroelec tricity in liquid crystals, the unique features of ferroelectric behav ior in chiral smectic liquid crystals are discussed. Since the discove ry of the FLCs, the subsequent research activities on FLC displays inc luding the surface-stabilized structure in 80's are outlined. The rece nt trends in constructing fast, gray scale devices based on FLCs are a lso described.