| abstract |
A ferroelectric liquid crystal device comprising a pair of substrates each provided with an electrode thereon, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal layer disposed between the substrates in a thickness which is thin enough to release the spiral structure of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, wherein the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular axis directions forming an angle 2 theta therebetween, each average molecular axis direction corresponding to one or two stable orientation states of the ferroelectric liquid crystal, the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular axis directions forming an angle 2 &cir& H therebetween when voltages exceeding the threshold voltage of the ferroelectric liquid crystal are applied to the ferroelectric liquid crystal, and the ferroelectric liquid crystal provides two average molecular directions forming an angle 2 theta a therebetween after applying an alternating electric field to the ferroelectric liquid crystal and removing the electric field, the angles theta , &cir& H and theta a satisfying the relationships of: theta < theta a</= &cir& H . |