Second-harmonic generation from rubbed ferroelectric liquid crystal mesogenic monolayer surfaces

We have designed self-assembled monolayers of molecules containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal mesogen attached to a glass surface through an alkane chain. After mechanical rubbing these layers induce a single domain in a cell containing a high-polarization achiral liquid crystal in the smectic-C...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics, 2003-05, Vol.67 (5 Pt 1), p.051707-051707
Main Authors: Park, C S, Furtak, T E, Clark, N A, Liberko, C A, Walba, D M
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We have designed self-assembled monolayers of molecules containing a ferroelectric liquid crystal mesogen attached to a glass surface through an alkane chain. After mechanical rubbing these layers induce a single domain in a cell containing a high-polarization achiral liquid crystal in the smectic-C phase. We have used optical second-harmonic generation to demonstrate that this behavior is explained by rubbing-induced in-plane anisotropy of the angular distribution function that describes the ensemble of mesogenic units. The surface order parameter is 0.094, a substantial fraction of what has been observed for rubbed polymeric alignment layers.
ISSN:1539-3755
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevE.67.051707