Current- and Magnetic-Field-Induced Order and Disorder in Ordered Nematic Liquid Crystals

Abstract

The voltage‐magnetic field phase diagram is explored for a nematic liquid crystal aligned between rubbed conductive glass plates. New patterns of long‐range order are found for ac excitation and nonzero magnetic field. The variation of conductance with changes of order and with the angle with respect to the nematic director have been measured. An unexpected onset of turbidity is found at a voltage proportional to applied field when current is flowing parallel to the director.