INVESTIGATIONS OF SOFT-MODE AND ELECTROCLINIC RESPONSE IN A FERROELECTRIC LIQUID-CRYSTAL WITH PS-APPROXIMATE-TO-5 MC/M2

Measurements of the soft-mode and electroclinic behavior in the smectic A*-phase of a compound with very high spontaneous polarization (about 5 mC/m2 (0.5-mu-C/cm2) in the smectic C*-phase) are presented. It is found that for large induced tilt angles, one observes a strip texture giving rise to a strong characteristic light scattering. Once created this periodic stripe patten remains even when the field is turned off. Furthermore, the electric field-induced modulation of the pattern allows scattering intensity modulation, resulting in anomalous electroclinic behavior.