A liquid crystal device is constructed in such a structure that a plurality
of stripe bulkheads substantially perpendicular to a direction of a layer
of a smectic liquid crystal are provided on at least one of a pair of
substrates retaining the smectic liquid crystal therebetween and that an
elastic modulus E of the bulkheads, an outside pressure P, an area A1 of
the substrate, a total area A2 of contact surfaces between the bulkheads
and the substrate, and a volumetric shrinkage ratio .DELTA.Vlc/Vlc of the
smectic liquid crystal within an ambient temperature range of the liquid
crystal device satisfy the following relation:
(1/E).times.P.times.(A1/A2).gtoreq..DELTA.Vlc/Vlc,
whereby the bulkheads become able to be compressed in response to
volumetric shrinkage of the liquid crystal.
