Textures in polymer-network-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal

The effect of polymer network polymerized under UV irradiation with electric field application (+/- 50V, 5Hz) to FLC molecule orientation and electro-optic characteristics have been studied. Optical and scanning electron microscope were used to invest the molecule texture and the polymer network structure. The polymer network formed in SmC* phase is anisotropic and fibber-like, a new type texture-striped texture was observed in the cell. The electro-optic performance of the cells was also measured. A fairly good memory state with excellent contrast ratio higher than 20 and a low threshold voltage less than 5V were obtained. At last the striped texture was explained with elastic free energy theory.