A model for a field-induced ferrielectric state in a bent-core mesogen

In this paper we present a structure model of the intermediate field-induced ferrielectric state and discuss a mechanism for multistage switching behavior in external electric fields reported earlier (S. Findeisen-Tandelet al., Eur. Phys. J. E, 2008, 25, 395). The model is based on the assumption of competing interlayer interactions between neighbouring and next neighbour smectic layers.