Growth of the transient planar state in cholesteric liquid crystals

Abstract

Growth and propagation of the transient planar state in the transition of cholesteric liquid crystals from the homeotropic to the planar state was investigated by both experiments and numerical simulations for planar boundary conditions. Interference fringes observed in the measured reflection spectra during the evolution of the transient planar state have not been reported in the previous study. These interference fringes caused by a Fabry-Perot interferometric structure formed in the cell show that the transient planar state grows from the surfaces and propagates toward the bulk region in the planar sample. Our experimental results for the growth of transient planar state in planar boundary conditions are consistent with the previously reported simulation studies.