Rubbing-induced surface textures in nematic MBBA layers and their behaviour under applied d.c. or a.c. voltages

Surface irregularities (for example, rubbing-induced domains, and bumps) have been observed in MBBA nematic cells after special treatment of the electrodes using a conventional soap. Various techniques such as polarizing microscopy, the shadowgraph technique and computer processing of the images have been used. The behaviour of the rubbing-induced domains under a.c. or d.c. electric fields has been studied. A new flexoelectric effect has been observed leading to the dividision of the rubbing-induced domains. A simple model has been proposed (a modification of the Saupe model), which explains the structure and dividision of the rubbing-induced domains.