Determination of the flexoelectric coefficient (e1–e3) in nematic liquid crystal by using fully leaky optical-guided mode

Abstract

Fully leaky optical-guided mode was employed to determine the difference in the splay and bend flexoelectric coefficient (e1–e3) in negative nematic liquid crystal MS-N01300-000. The experimental curves of reflectivity versus internal angle (angle of incident light to the liquid crystal) were obtained when a laser beam passed through the hybrid-aligned nematic in-plane switching liquid crystal cell; the cell was embedded in pyramid-coupled waveguide with different alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) voltages. The curves of the applied DC with voltage similar to that of AC shift to the left or the right. Experimental results were then compared with theoretical results derived from elastic continuum theory and multi-layer optical theory of liquid crystals. The approximate value of the flexoelectric coefficient (e1–e3) of MS-N01300-000 is 9.0 × 10−11 C/m.