Dynamics of electro-optical switching processes in surface stabilized biaxial nematic phase found in bent-core liquid crystal

The dynamics of electro-optical switching processes in the biaxial nematic phase of an oxadizole-based bent-core liquid crystal (LC) was studied. This LC exhibits optical biaxiality in the lower temperature range of the nematic phase although it exhibits optical uniaxiality in the higher temperature range. In particular, the short axis and the long axis of the LC were independently switched when an electric field was applied in the biaxial nematic phase. The switching time of the short axis was much faster than that of the long axis in response to the applied field as well as in relaxation. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.