The structure of homeotropic smectic C (SmC) alignment within liquid crystal cells

A commercially important ferroelectric liquid crystal, SCE13, is characteri zed in terms of the parameters of Landau-de Gennes mean field theory and el astic continuum theory. A simple model for the alignment of smectic C (SmC) liquid crystals in cells whose surfaces are treated to cause homeotropic a lignment is presented. The expected temperature dependence of the director alignment structures is discussed. Data obtained using half-leaky guided mo de techniques are presented in support of this model.