Surface memory effect in nematics with smectic C short-range order and hydrogen bonded molecules

A surface memory effect (SME) is found in the dimerized nematic with short range smectic C order of 4-n-octyloxybenzoic acid (OOBA) in a cell whose walls have been covered with an obliquely evaporated SiO or ITO layer. The recording and erasure processes are discussed and erasure in the nematic phase is realized. A mechanism for the surface memorization is presented which takes into account the specific character of dimerized nematics preceding cooling into a smectic C phase.