Method to obtain uniform bookshelf textures in smectic C* liquid crystals

A new method is described to obtain homogeneous bookshelf textures in thin films of ferroelectric smectic C* material with short pitch and high Ps. The surfaces were coated with silane to obtain a homeotropic texture. The sample was realigned to a homogeneous bookshelf texture under simultaneous application of an electric field and shearing. The texture is stable and gives a very good contrast (∼80) under permanent drive condition.