Photomechanically induced phase transitions in ferroelectric liquid crystals

Abstract

We demonstrate that the addition of small amounts of a novel azo-dye to a ferroelectric liquid crystal and illumination with low intensity (∼ 0.8 mW cm⁻²) UV light can result in reversible, isothermal phase transitions and dramatic changes in the properties of the system. In particular we examine light induced transitions between the S∗₁, and S∗_C phases and the consequent photomechanical regulation of spontaneous polarization.