A dichiral azobenzene mesogenic compound was found to exhibit the electric-induction of birefringence in the optically isotropic liquid phase. The anomalous emergence of the birefringence is attributed to the formation of the liquid-crystalline organization stabilized by the polar structure of the electrically-induced ferroelectric molecular assembly. The application of the in-plane electric field in the liquid phase produces a homogenous birefringent texture, which thus can be considered as a

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... ew type of light valve applicable for displays or switching devices. The electrically-induced birefringence can be erased by the irradiation of UV light, due to the photoinduced isomerization of the azobenzene compound, thus dual controlled birefringent structure, by the irradiation of light and/or by the application of the electric field, is obtained.