THE EFFECT OF THE ELASTIC-CONSTANTS ON THE ALIGNMENT AND ELECTROOPTICBEHAVIOR OF SMECTIC C LIQUID-CRYSTALS

The static electro-optic behaviour of achiral smectic C samples in the chevron geometry have been modelled using the continuum theory of Les lie et al. [1]. The model assumes that the layer tilt and smectic C di rector tilt angle are constant, and treats the layers at the chevron i nterface as an infinitely bound surface. Comparison of the predicted e lectro-optic behaviour with experimental results gives values for the bend (B-1) and splay (B-2) c-director elastic constants. However, more detailed optical studies show that surface and chevron interface term s become important at high values of applied electric field.