Studies of the interfacial physical effects of liquid crystal cells

The interaction between a liquid crystal and the solid surface it is in contact with controls the display and influences the physical effects of the liquid crystal. The surface and interface behavior of liquid crystals is an important field of research, in which a major task is to find appropriate mathematical and physical equations to describe the liquid crystal－solid interaction. Development of the theory will help to improve surface inducement technology. The achievements obtained, problems still unsolved, current points of interest (such as the first order transitions and flexoelectric effect) and controversial issues (whether the surface elasticity term exists or not) are reviewed.