Deformation and instability of nematic drops in an external electric field

The behavior of nematic liquid-crystal drops freely suspended in an isotrop ic liquid polymer exposed to an external electric field was studied. A gian t deformation was observed for the drop. As the field intensity increased, its equilibrium shape took the form of a prolate ellipsoid. The dependences of the shape and critical fields on the concentration of ions in the polym er liquid were established. A plausible theoretical explanation is suggeste d for the observed effect. The experimental dependence of drop size on the electric-field strength is analyzed, and the conditions for the loss of dro p stability are determined. (C) 2000 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".