Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals - Structure and Design

Interest in the synthesis of optically active smectic liquid crystals has increased considerably since the advent of a fast switching, bistable, electrooptic device configuration based on their ferroelectric properties. A number of structurally separate ferroelectric liquid crystal phases have been defined which possess differing properties. These types of phase can be utilized in different forms of application. The structures of the various ferroelectric smectic phases and the types of material which exhibit these modifications are discussed in detail. The design and engineering of materials to suit certain device criteria is related to the properties of the smectic ferroelectric phases. A relationship between the absolute spacial configuration of the optically active materials which exhibit ferroelectric smectic phases, the twist direction of the phase and the direction of the spontaneous polarization is developed.