K. S. Krishnamurthy

Permittivity, conductivity, elasticity, and viscosity measurements in the nematic phase of a bent-core liquid crystal.

We report on measurements of dielectric permittivity epsilon, electrical conductivity sigma, elastic moduli k(ii), and rotational viscosity gamma for a bent-core nematic liquid crystal. The static permittivity anisotropy epsilon(a) = epsilon(parallel)-epsilon(perpendicular) is negative; at a given temperature in the interval 107-123 degrees C, epsilon(parallel) shows two relaxations falling in the frequency bands 20-200 kHz and 0.9-2 MHz; epsilon(perpendicular) also shows a relaxation between 0.9 and 5 MHz. The conductivity anisotropy sigma(a) = sigma(parallel)-sigma(perpendicular) is negative at low frequencies; it changes sign twice at frequencies f(1) and f(2) that increase with temperature, in the ranges 6.5-10 and 95-600 kHz, respectively. Surprisingly, the splay modulus k(11) is considerably greater than the bend modulus k(33) in the entire nematic range. Viscous relaxation is more complex than in calamitic systems involving at least a two-step process. The gamma values are an order of magnitude greater compared to calamitics.

Converse Flexoelectric Effect in Bent-Core Nematic Liquid Crystals

We report on the converse flexoelectric effect in two bent-core nematic liquid crystals with opposite dielectric anisotropies. The results are based on electro-optic investigations of inplane field-driven distortions in homeotropic samples (the Helfrich method). They are interpreted by an extension of the Helfrich theory that takes into account the higher order distortions. The bend flexocoefficient for both the compounds is of the usual order of magnitude as in calamitics, unlike in a previously investigated bent-core nematic for which giant values of the bend flexocoefficient are reported. In order to resolve this discrepancy, we propose a molecular model with nonpolar clusters showing quadrupolar flexoelectricity. The study also includes measurements on surface polarization instabilities in the dielectrically positive material; the splay flexocoefficient thereby deduced is also of the conventional order.

Patterned electroconvective states in a bent-core nematic liquid crystal.

We report the results of investigations on the anisotropic electrohydrodynamic states arising in a highly conducting, planarly aligned, bent-core nematic liquid crystal driven by ac fields of frequency f in the range from 10 Hz to 1 MHz. Pattern morphologywise, two f regimes are distinguished. The low-f regime, wherein the primary bifurcation is to a state of periodic longitudinal stripes (LS), extends to an unprecedentedly large f, in the range 150-550 kHz, depending on the temperature T. This is followed by the high-f regime wherein periodic normal stripes (NS) constitute the primary instability. Both instabilities involve predominant director modulations and streamlines in the layer plane. The transitional frequency between the two regimes is linear in temperature. The curve V(c)(f) shows a nonlinear increase for the LS state and decrease for the NS state. V(c)(T) is an ever increasing curve close to the nematic-isotropic point for both states. The wavenumber of LS varies directly as V, and that of NS shows nearly the same behavior. The pattern period versus f is increasing for LS but decreasing for NS. Both instability states exhibit complex, light-polarization-dependent lens action. Well above the threshold, disclination loops of regular geometry appear along the stripes. They drift in a coordinated manner along the flow lines. At very high voltages, the instability turns strongly time dependent. The current models of anisotropic convection based on static electrical parameters fail to account for the observed instabilities.

Electroconvection in a Homeotropic Bent-Rod Nematic Liquid Crystal Beyond the Dielectric Inversion Frequency

We characterize the structural transitions in an initially homeotropic bent-rod nematic liquid crystal excited by ac fields of frequency f well above the dielectric inversion point fi. From the measured principal dielectric constants and electrical conductivities of the compound, the Carr-Helfrich conduction regime is anticipated to extend into the sub-megahertz region. Periodic patterned states occur through secondary bifurcations from the Freedericksz distorted state. An anchoring transition between the bend Freedericksz (BF) and degenerate planar (DP) states is detected. The BF state is metastable well above the Freedericksz threshold and gives way to the DP state, which persists in the field-off condition for several hours. Numerous +1 and -1 umbilics form at the onset of BF distortion, the former being largely of the chiral type. They survive in the DP configuration as linear defects, nonsingular in the core. In the BF regime, not far from fi, periodic Williams-like domains form around the umbilics; they drift along the director easy axis right from their onset. With increasing f, the wave vector of the periodic domains switches from parallel to normal disposition with respect to the c vector. Well above fi, a broadband instability is found.

Patterned flexoelectric instability in a bent-core nematic liquid crystal

We examine here the Bobylev–Pikin flexoelectric instability in an initially planar monodomain of a bent-core nematic liquid crystal, which is negative in conductivity and dielectric anisotropies. Experiments employing dc excitation reveal the domain density to be linear in field, as predicted; however, the instability threshold has a negative temperature coefficient indicating the effective flexomodulus as nonquadratic in order parameter. The dc threshold is also determined as a function of simultaneously acting ac voltage; a theoretical fit is found for the data taking into account elastic anisotropy, whereby the relevant flexoelectric and elastic parameters are estimated. Remarkable morphological changes occur under an increasing field. Half-strength disclinations of opposite topological charge evolve within the flexostructure rendering the wavevector orientation degenerate in the layer plane. Dipolar and quadrupolar topological defect patterns, akin to the singularities in cholesteric fingerprint texture, lead finally to fan like objects. The morphological equivalence between the periodic flexoelectric state and a layered lattice as realized here is attributable to a much lower energy of bend type distortion compared to splay, unlike in a calamitic.

Drifting periodic structures in a degenerate-planar bent-rod nematic liquid crystal beyond the dielectric inversion frequency.

We report on the electric-field-generated effects in the nematic phase of a twin mesogen formed of bent-core and calamitic units, aligned homeotropically in the initial ground state and examined beyond the dielectric inversion point. The bend-Freedericksz (BF) state occurring at the primary bifurcation and containing a network of umbilics is metastable; we focus here on the degenerate planar (DP) configuration that establishes itself at the expense of the BF state in the course of an anchoring transition. In the DP regime, normal rolls, broad domains, and chevrons (both defect-mediated and defect-free types) form at various linear defect-sites, in different regions of the frequency-voltage plane. A significant novel aspect common to all these patterned states is the sustained propagative instability, which does not seem explicable on the basis of known driving mechanisms.

Gradient flexoelectric switching response in a nematic phenyl benzoate

We report on the inverse flexoelectric effects observed in a nematic liquid crystal with a small positive dielectric anisotropy subject to static and very low frequency (<1 Hz) a.c. fields. The Bobylev–Pikin flexobands appear at a temperature‐dependent d.c. threshold. Under square wave excitation, a new type of transient optical response occurs soon after each polarity reversal, and we ascribe it to the gradient flexoelectric distortion explicable on the basis of the presence of intrinsic double layers. This instability is characterized by a threshold voltage that decreases with temperature. Its maximum amplitude increases linearly with voltage close to threshold, and occurs after polarity reversal at a time τm that scales inversely as the voltage; τm decreases exponentially with frequency and temperature. After each polarity change, the ionic current following the charging current decreases almost exponentially to a non‐zero value; the residual current increases monotonically with the applied bias.

Shear deformation and division of cylindrical walls in free-standing nematic films under high electric fields.

We report on the behavior of cylindrical walls formed in a substrate-free nematic film of PCH5 under the action of an in-plane ac field. In the film, with vertical molecular alignment at all the limiting surfaces, annular Brochard-Leger walls are induced well above the bend-Freedericksz threshold. They exhibit, at high field strengths, a new type of instability not encountered in sandwich, or any other, cell configuration. It manifests as a shearing of the loop-wall between the opposite free-surfaces. The shear strain is measured as a function of time, field strength, frequency, and temperature. Significantly, the strain is linear in field strength. The origin of shear and its dependence on field variables are explained through an adaptation of the Carr-Helfrich mechanism of charge separation. The sheared wall is stable against pincement up to several times the threshold field, and divides itself into two fragments under a large enough strain. With the shear distortion, linear defects appear in the opposite splay-bend regions, just as Neel lines in Bloch walls of magnetic systems. At very low frequencies, flexoelectric influence on distortion is revealed.

Competing Instability Modes in an Electrically Driven Bent-Core Nematic Liquid Crystal

Bent-core nematic electroconvection is a relatively less explored area, particularly in the low frequency regime. We focus here mainly on the instabilities occurring below 100 Hz in an initially planar monodomain of a bent-core nematic liquid crystal, which is negative in both conductivity and dielectric anisotropies. An unprecedented observation is the occurrence of three distinct bifurcation modes in a narrow region (10-17 Hz) that manifest, in the order of increasing threshold, as longitudinal, oblique and normal rolls. Whereas the second of these is the flexoelectrically enabled Carr-Helfrich mode, the other two are nonstandard electroconvection modes. Significantly, the first two instabilities remain unquenched even after bifurcation into the normal roll state below their respective codimension-2 points. The hybrid roll states display complex flows and morphologies. The study includes measurement of electrical parameters relevant to the discussion of results.

Twist disclination loops in a bent-core nematic liquid crystal

We report on the generation and stability of half-strength twist disclination loops separating planar and π-twisted regions in a bent-core nematic liquid crystal with planar anchoring. Loops L(P) and L(T) surrounding planar and π-twisted domains, respectively, are both generated during relaxation from the quasi-homeotropic splay-Freedericksz state. We demonstrate that the metastable twisted state occurs as a rule in the region of lateral separation of singular loops formed via wall pincement and collapsing at different rates. The results provide the first experimental confirmation of the early theoretical prediction that, for circular loops L(P), there exists a critical radius Rc separating regimes of growth and decay. Rc varies with temperature indicating its dependence on elastic anisotropy. R, which changes quasistatically around Rc, is linear in time in the long thread regime for both L(P) and L(T). An earlier model for L(T) is extended for L(P) to fully account for the observed dynamics of both subcritical and supercritical loops, and also to extract the related viscoelastic parameter.