Modelling monopolar and bipolar switching in ferroelectric liquid crystal devices using a three variable theory

The switching process in ferroelectric liquid crystal devices takes place through the formation and evolution of domains, which can be modelled using a three variable approach. Here we discuss details of the model which are necessary in order to reproduce the domain nucleation and switching times as a function of applied voltage for both monopolar and bipolar pulses. We show that in order to reproduce data correctly the model must incorporate a complex empirical elastic stress term.