1. Open Access Kent State
  2. Azimuthal Dependence of Switching Field Strength for Nematic Liquid Crystal Bistability on Patterned Alignment Layers
Author(s)
Abstract

We investigate the azimuthal dependence of the switching field strength for nematic liquid crystal bistability on patterned alignment layers to determine the validity of a switching theory proposed by Kim et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 78, 3055 (2001)] and to evaluate higher-order azimuthal anchoring coefficients. Director behavior during switching is described in detail for general azimuthal directions of an applied electric field and the experimental results are explained on the basis of the theory. We obtain azimuthal anchoring coefficients up to the second higher-order term in an expansion of the anchoring energy function. Detailed analysis of the director behavior reveals a close analogy between the proposed model of nematic liquid crystal bistability and a coherent rotation (Stoner-Wohlfarth) model of ferromagnetism. This suggests a reversal-asymmetric property of the substrate-nematic interface director, differing from the reversal symmetry of the bulk nematic director, as far as the nematic bistability switching is concerned.
Format
Article
Identifier(s)
10.1063/1.4716681
Publication Date
2012-05-17
Publication Title
Journal of Applied Physics
Volume
111
Issue
10
Keywords
Subject
Rights
https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
Community
Chemical Physics Interdisciplinary Program
Comments

Copyright 2012 American Institute of Physics. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics. The following article appeared in J. Appl. Phys. 111, 103507 (2012) and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4716681
Permalink https://oaks.kent.edu/cpippubs/257
Niitsuma, J.- ichi, Yoneya, M., & Yokoyama, H. (2012). Azimuthal Dependence of Switching Field Strength for Nematic Liquid Crystal Bistability on Patterned Alignment Layers (1–). Journal of Applied Physics. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4716681
Niitsuma, Jun-ichi, Makoto Yoneya, and Hiroshi Yokoyama. 2012. “Azimuthal Dependence of Switching Field Strength for Nematic Liquid Crystal Bistability on Patterned Alignment Layers”. Journal of Applied Physics. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4716681.
Niitsuma, Jun-ichi, et al. Azimuthal Dependence of Switching Field Strength for Nematic Liquid Crystal Bistability on Patterned Alignment Layers. Journal of Applied Physics, 17 May 2012, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4716681.