We propose a concept of supramolecular materials for effective all-optical generation of surface relief structures and optical anisotropy. The materials are based on the ionic interactions between photochromic azobenzene units and polyelectrolytes. The materials are easy to produce and they allow the inscription of the 1.8 µm deep surface relief gratings. Moreover, the induced structures were thermally very stable. Both distinctive features of the new materials, namely, the dynamic behavior of molecular orientation and the high thermal stability of surface structures, have been explained in terms of the network of oppositely charged ions inherent to the materials. Due to the simplicity and versatility of the concept, the new family of materials for different applications in optics, sensorics, and biology may be designed.
We propose a concept of supramolecular materials for effective all-optical generation of surface relief structures. The materials are based on the ionic interactions between oppositely charged photochromic azobenzene units and polysiloxane backbones formed in situ. The materials are easy to produce from commercial components. Using ionic interactions to connect photochromic units to the polymer backbones allowed very high dye-doping levels without aggregation. Because of this noncovalent bonding the polymer chains got involved in the photoinduced translation motion of azobenzene units resulting in very effective formation of surface relief gratings. For the first time some relaxation processes which counteract the light-induced formation of surface relief structures were suggested. Under consideration of these processes the influence of network formation and alternatively of glassy state on the efficiency of mass transport and the stability of induced structures was discussed. Because of the simplicity and versatility of the concept the new family of materials for applications in optics, sensorics, and biology may be designed.
Using solid state ring opening polymerization of oxirane by an amino substituted azobenzene derivative a film material with extremely high rate of holographic surface relief grating formation was obtained
In a search for effective polymer film material for holographic surface patterning, commercially available azobenzene polyelectrolyte has been employed. Films of good optical quality in a wide range of thickness were produced. Optical dichroism up to 0.19 was induced upon irradiation with linearly polarized light. Surface relief gratings with amplitudes up to 630 nm and diffraction efficiency of 37% were inscribed by holographic exposure to the light of 488 nm. Due to the ionic nature of the material, the relief was stable at least up to the temperature of decomposition (ca. 200 degrees C) but could be erased and inscribed again by light.
New detachable azobenzene-containing materials produced via solid state reaction of urea formation were used for the inscription of effective, colourless and stable surface relief gratings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.