Spatially periodic deformation of a nematic liquid crystal caused by flows near a microcontact in an asymmetric cell

It has been experimentally established for the first time that a steady-state spatially periodic deformation of the director field with an electrically controlled period is formed near a microcontact in a homeotropically oriented 5CB nematic liquid crystal. The periodic distribution of the director is due to its orientation by counterpropagating flows of the nematic material and the wave-shaped profile of the boundary layer.