Initially splayed nematic liquid crystal layer under an electric field. Induction of π-twist metastable state

The behaviour of initially splayed nematic liquid crystal layers under an applied electric field is investigated theoretically and experimentally. The induced metastable state which appears above certain voltage U is found to be the bent state or the π-twist state depending on tilt angle θd at the boundary. The existence of one symmetrically and two asymmetrically distorted states below this voltage is confirmed only in the symmetrically splayed nematic layer. The possibility for polar switching between the asymmetrically distorted states is shown.