Spontaneous helix formation in polar smectic phase

TL;DR

This paper reports the spontaneous formation of a stable helical structure in a ferroelectric smectic phase, revealing insights into polarization behavior and field response in soft ferroelectric crystals.

Contribution

It demonstrates the spontaneous helix formation in the SmCTBF phase and characterizes its properties and response to electric fields, a novel observation in ferroelectric smectic phases.

Findings

Helical pitch is approximately 600 nm and stable across temperature.

Weak electric fields reorient the helix without destroying it.

Stronger electric fields align polarization, destroying the helix.

Abstract

In soft ferroelectric crystals, the depolarization field can be reduced by periodic distortion of the polarization direction. In the polar nematic and tilted smectic phases, this process is energetically favorured , as it only requires changes in the director orientation. We demonstrate the spontaneous formation of a helical structure in the proper ferroelectric tilted smectic (SmCTBF) phase, the phase is formed below the heliconical polar nematic (NTBF) phase. The helical pitch in the smectic phase is approximately 600 nm and remains nearly constant across the entire temperature range of the phase. Under weak electric fields, the helix reorients while its structure remains largely intact; however, in stronger fields, the helix is destroyed as the electric polarization aligns along the electric field.