Photomechanically induced phase transitions in ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract We demonstrate that the addition of small amounts of a novel azo-dye to a ferroelectric liquid crystal and illumination with low intensity (∼ 0.8 mW cm−2) UV light can result in reversible, isothermal phase transitions and dramatic changes in the properties of the system. In particular we examine light induced transitions between the S∗1, and S∗C phases and the consequent photomechanical regulation of spontaneous polarization.