Presents the basics of ferroelectric liquid crystals and the linear and non-linear optics of these systems. Attention is paid to the applications of ferroelectric liquid crystals as electro-optic modulators, matrix displays, optical logic gates, and others.

Igor Musevic, Cindy Nieuwkerk and Theo Rasing Since the pioneering work on surface-induced alignment of liquid crystals, performed by Lehmann 1], Grandjean 2], Mauguin 3], Chatelain 4], and others 5], scientist have been looking for the answer to the question: why do certain surfaces align liquid crystals and others not'? The answer to this question has become even more important with the advent of modern liquid crystal display technologies, that are based on re liable and technologically controllable surface alignment of liquid crystals, used in a variety of electrooptic devices, such...