Light deflection by antiferroelectric liquid crystals under electric bias field

Domain structures of a chiral smectic phase, C-beta, of antiferroelectric liquid crystals were investigated by dielectric, electro-optic and light deflection experiments under electric bias fields. Characteristic light deflection indicating the coexistence of domains of different refractive index were observed in two regions of bias field where the electric constant show steep decrease, and also in the absence of field after removing the bias. A possible model for the molecular orientation and helical structure in each domain were dicussed.