Molecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals, Vol.524, 26-35, 2010
On the Coexistence of the Flexo-Dielectric Walls-Flexoelectric Domains for the Nematic MBBAA New Estimation of the Modulus of the Difference between the Flexoelectric Coefficients of Splay and Bend |e(1z)-e(3x)|
The coexistence of the flexo-dielectric walls and the flexoelectric domains of Vistin'-Pikin-Bobylev has been again observed in the nematic methoxybenzylidene-parabutylaniline (MBBA). On the basis of the first observation of such coexistence by Vistin' et al. and the new theory developed by us, the modulus of the difference between the flexoelectric coefficients of splay e(1z) and bend e(3x), |e(1z)-e(3x)|, has been estimated to be around 2x10(-4) statC/cm. It was experimentally found that the increase of the conductivity sigma of the nematic MBBA from 10(-9) to 10(-8) (Omega center dot cm)(-1) replaced the flexoelectric domains by electrohydrodynamic movement of the fluid. The details of this movement are illustrated for the first time.
Keywords:Coexistence;estimation of flexoelectric coefficient |e(1z)-e(3x)|;flexo-dielectric walls;flexoelectric domains;MBBA