Effect of Polymer Stabilization on Molecular Alignment of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal in Wide-Gap Cell

We have investigated the molecular alignment structure of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) in a wide-gap cell for application to optical devices, such as an electrically controlled lens. The transformation of the smectic layer structure has been observed under an electric field, particularly under a low electric field in the wide-gap cell. We have attempted to suppress this transformation, which considerably degrades the optical performance of FLCs, by the polymer stabilization technique. As a result, we have found that the layer transformation can be suppressed successfully. However, the disarray of the FLC molecular alignment may occur owing to the deformation of polymer networks accompanied by FLC molecular reorientation caused by the application of an electric field.