Parallel and cross-like domains due to d.c. and low frequency (< 2 Hz) electric fields in nematic liquid crystal layers with negative dielectric anisotropy

Parallel and cross-like domains due to d.c. and low frequency (< 2 Hz) electric fields, in nematic liquid crystal layers with negative dielectric anisotropy - MBBA and 440 are obtained experimentally and investigated. The basic experimental results are: the easy reproducibility of the parallel domains particularly in tilted LC layers 5-90μm with weak anchoring, synthesized on Schiff bases and when the cover glasses are treated with a surfactant - common soap; the creation of cross-like domains in thin homeotropic layers; the demonstration that these domains arise in the cathode region due to the strong inhomogeneous electric field which brings about a periodic bend-splay usually divided by disclinations. Out of the known electroslatic and electrohydrodynamic mechanisms only the flexoelectric effect, due to the gradient electric field, can explain the initial formation of these domains