Fluctuations of a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal in the presence of an applied voltage
Abstract
We determined the refractive-index structure-factor Sn( k) from shadowgraphs of fluctuations in a layer of a homeotropically aligned nematic liquid crystal with negative dielectric anisotropy in the presence of an ac voltage of amplitude V0 applied orthogonal to the layer. Sn( k) had rotational symmetry. Its integral P(V0) and amplitude B(V0) increased smoothly through the Fr\'eedericksz transition at V0 = VF. Its inverse width (V0) and its relaxation rate 0(V0) had cusps but remained finite at VF. The results are inconsistent with the critical mode at a second-order phase transition.
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