Ferroelectric Particles in Nematic Liquid Crystals with Soft Anchoring

A theoretical evaluation of the electric Freedericksz transition threshold and saturation field is proposed for a liquid crystals composite with ferroelectric particles. Existing models consider a strong anchoring of nematic molecules on the glass support of the cell, but in this paper a soft molecular anchoring of molecules on the glass support and also on the ferroelectric nanoparticle’s surface is assumed. Thus, a finite saturation field was obtained in agreement with real systems. Calculations are made for planar configuration of positive dielectric anisotropy liquid crystals. The results are compared with data obtained on similar systems from different publications and the differences are discussed.