CONFIGURATION TRANSITION OF A CLOSED-CYLINDER NEMATIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL IN AN EXTERNAL ELECTRIC-FIELD

Abstract

This study reports on the director-field configurations of a closed-cylinder nematic liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy in an external electric field. Raising the applied voltage causes the director orientation with a volume point defect to be transformed from a normal to a twisted configuration. The voltage at which the configuration is transformed depends on the aspect ratio of the cylinder.