Finding the Optimal Light Cycles

I've been researching alternative flowering light cycles(14/10, 13/11, and 12/12) for optimal yield and potency. From what I have gathered, a light cycle containing more light hours than dark hours will reach maturity at a slower rate and increase the yield whereas the other side of the spectrum does the opposite. Will flowers that have their flowering time extended increase potency? I don't know. What if one was to veg his plant near the desired height, switch the light cycle to 15/9, and lower the light time while increasing the darkness time by 30 minutes until flowering is induced? If a longer flowering period creates larger, more potent crops then finding out the maximum amount of light you can use and the minimum amount of darkness needed to induce flowering is critical information. Another thing to think about is going outside the 24hr marker but that would be much more complicated and, from what I have read, has resulted in hermaphroditic plants. I have no growing experience but I figure it would be best to gather as much info as I can before I begin.