Introduction

An introduction to the liquid crystalline state of matter is provided, discussing thermotropic and lyotropic behaviour, different types of ordering and some of the most common liquid crystal phases. Chirality is introduced and its effects on liquid crystal phases discussed, as well as the occurrence of novel, frustrated phases like blue phases and twist grain boundary phases. The observation of ferroelectricity in chiral, tilted smectic phases is briefly described. A very brief outline of the topic of this book is given by introducing polymer dispersed liquid crystals and polymer stabilized liquid crystals, which will then be covered in much more detail throughout the following chapters.