Bulg. J. Phys. vol.31 no.1-2 (2004), pp. 55-67


On the "Gradient Flexoelectric Effect" in Nematics Thirty Years Later

H. P. Hinov
Institute of Solid State Physics, Liquid Crystal Group, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 72 Tzarigradsko Chausse Blvd., 1784 Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract. The "gradient flexoelectric effect" in nematics discovered in 1974 by Derzhanski et al. [1] is considered thirty years later. The following topic questions are discussed: the kind of the non-homogeneity of the electric field in the presence of ions or in non-planar geometry, or in planar cells with interdigital, quadrupolar, etc. position of the electrodes, the boundary conditions and their dependence on the ions and the flexoeffect, the sign and the value of some flexoelectric coefficients. The experimentally observed in 1974 flexodeformations are discussed on the basis of the type of the electric field, calculated for a simpler electrochemical liquid cell [2].

References

[1] A.I. Derzhanski, A.G. Petrov, Chr.P. Khinov (H. P. Hinov), B.L. Markovski (1974) Bulg. J. Phys. I 165.
[2] H. Schaper, H. Köstlin, E. Schnedler (1982) Philips Tech. Rev. 40 69.

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