Transient current of nematic liquid crystals with negative dielectric anisotropy induced by step-voltage excitation

A simple theory for measuring the rotational viscosity has been proposed from the analysis of transient current, induced by step-voltage excitation, in nematic liquid crystal cells (NLCs) with positive dielectric anisotropy [M. Imai et al.: Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 33 (1994) L119]. The applicability of the theory to NLCs with negative dielectric anisotropy has been examined. It is found that the transient current shape of NLCs with negative dielectric anisotropy is different from that of NLCs with positive dielectric anisotropy, and hence, the theory cannot directly be applied to the analysis of the transient current of NLCs with negative dielectric anisotropy. Computer simulation shows that the transient current of NLCs with negative dielectric anisotropy is successfully reproduced by taking into account the flow effects with an appropriate boundary condition and that the flow effects play a key role in eliciting a faster electrooptic response in vertically aligned NLC displays.