This thesis is concerned with the vertical grating alignment of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs). FLCs exhibit fast electro-optic response times compared to traditional nematic devices, and so are of particular interest for use in micro-displays and liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) spatial light modulators. Unfortunately such materials are highly susceptible to shock induced
ow. This work introduces the VGA-FLC device geometry: a vertical grating aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal display. The vertical alignment gives preferential
alignment to the smectic layers, and the amplitude and pitch of the grating ensure stable alignment of the c-director of the FLC. The combined effect is shown to result in a shock-stable FLC geometry. The device is addressed with in-plane electric fields, and is shown to
obtain fast optical response times. The theory and physics of the device is explored, and further experiments are suggested that can be performed for device optimisation
