Effect of rubbing symmetry on polarization distribution in ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal cells

Abstract

Abstract It is a significant issue in controlling the polarization distribution in ferroelectric nematic liquid crystal cells. We investigated the polarization configuration of ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals on the surface and in the bulk of parallel/anti-parallel cells with rubbed substrates and proposed the polarization models in each cell. It is found that on the surface of rubbed polyimide films, the polarization direction is fixed and opposite to the rubbing direction. Splay and twist distribution of the polarization are formed in parallel and anti-parallel cells, respectively.