Unusual behavior of the surface-induced tilted layers in free-standing films of a non-layer-shrinkage liquid crystal compound

The molecular arrangements in free-standing films of a non-layer-shrinkage (NLS) liquid crystal compound were discussed. The unusual behavior of the surface-induced tilted layers of NLS liquid crystal was investigated using null-transmision ellipsometry. A non-planar-anticlinic-synclinic or a nonplanar-synclinic transition was observed upon cooling under a proper electric field. The results show that a field induced rare transition from a synclinic to an anticlinic state was observed upon increasing electric field.