Minko Parvanov Petrov 
Optical and Electro-Optical Properties of Liquid Crystals [PDF ebook] 
Nematic and Smectic Phases

This book describes the general properties of the most popular liquid crystal (LC) phases nematics (Ns) and smectics (Ss), and in addition, is directed to fill in a niche of the LC field. This book covers topics ranging from the types and classifications of liquid crystals to a detail description of the fundamental properties of nematics and smectics, including continuum theory, nonlinearity, behaviour in electric field, surface alignment, phase transitions, defect and textures and provides a useful reference intended for advanced topics of the physics of liquid crystals.