Electro-Optics of Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals (NOT KNOWN IF TALK GIVEN BECAUSE AUTHOR HAS LEFT AT&T)

The symmetry arguments which predict the existence of ferroelectricity in chiral smectic liquid crystals are presented. Structure of the ferroelectric liquid crystals in the thin and the thick cell configurations are reviewed. A brief description of the technique to align these liquid crystals is also given. Finally the effect of electric fields on these liquid crystals is discussed.