Drifting Abnormal Rolls in Electroconvection of Hybrid Aligned Nematic

Abstract

We report experimental and theoretical results on the conductive regime of electroconvection in hybrid aligned nematics. The drifting oblique/normal rolls below/above the Lifshitz frequency are observed at the onset of electroconvection under a.c. voltage. The experimental data on the threshold voltage, wavelength, oblique angle and drift period of the rolls as function of a.c. frequency are in good agreement with the results of linear stability analysis. The transition from drifting oblique rolls to abnormal rolls is found below the Lifshitz frequency with increasing applied voltage.