Theory of the non-planar surface phase in tilted smectic films under electric field.

We present a phenomenological theory of the non-planar tilted surface phase recently observed in freely suspended smectic films. We show that the three phases --Synclinic, Anticlinic, and non-planar (Axial)- stable in non-chiral systems, merge into a single phase in chiral systems. We discuss some experimental consequences of this specific chiral feature.