Theory of photoferroelectric response in SmC* liquids

TL;DR

This paper investigates how illumination affects the polarization and order in SmC* liquid crystals, revealing complex non-uniform behaviors and dynamic front propagation that alter traditional understanding.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for understanding non-uniform and dynamic photoferroelectric responses in SmC* liquids under illumination.

Findings

Non-uniformity affects polarization measurements.

Illumination induces propagating fronts of photo-conversion.

Polarization variation with temperature is modified by light.

Abstract

We are concerned with the modification of liquid crystalline and polar order in SmC* liquids by illumination. In particular we show that non-uniformity due to absorption and also dynamics, can be complex. The variation of polarization with temperature, while illuminated, is modified from that assuming uniformity. Apparent changes of polarization with illumination will be shown to be underestimated due to non-uniformity. The dynamics is shown to depend on propagating fronts of photo-conversion penetrating the sample.