Flexoelectricity in nematic domain walls

Flexoelectric effects are studied in the domain walls of a nematic liquid crystal device showing the Freedericksz transition. Walls parallel to the alignment direction have a strong twist distortion and an electro-optic effect dominated by e(1)-e(3) is seen. Walls perpendicular to the alignment direction have a strong splay-bend distortion and an electro-optic effect dominated by e(1)+e(3) is seen. This allows the study of both flexoelectric coefficient combinations in a single device.