Direct current electric field induced deformations of dielectrically isotropic flexoelectric nematic layers

Abstract

Deformations of nematic layers induced by d.c. electric field were studied numerically. The nematic liquid crystal under consideration possessed flexoelectric properties. Its dielectric anisotropy was zero, so the deformations were solely of flexoelectric nature. The threshold voltages for deformations were calculated for nematics with very low, moderate and high ion content. In the case of weak flexoelectric properties, the predicted threshold voltage reached c. 100V in pure material. It decreased strongly with increasing ion content and reached values much lower than the theoretical values calculated for the perfectly insulating material. The director distributions in deformed states were also determined. Four kinds of director profiles were distinguished.