Holographic Gratings in Azobenzene Side-Chain Polymethacrylates

Abstract

Optical storage properties of thin unoriented liquid crystalline and amorphous side-chain azobenzene polymethacrylate films are examined by polarization holographic measurements. The investigated materials are free radical copolymers derived from two photochromic monomers, 6-(4-oxy-4‘-cyanoazobenzene)hex-1-yl methacrylate and 8-(4-oxy-4‘-cyanoazobenzene)oct-1-yl methacrylate, and a nonphotochromic optically active comonomer, (−)-menthyl methacrylate. The thermal behavior and phase transitions of the polymers have been investigated in detail through differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. Atomic force microscopy investigations have been carried out on the polarization holographic gratings recorded in the polymethacrylate films. A surface relief grating has been found to appear in all films after irradiation. The copolymers with 50−75% dye content exhibit the largest surface relief. The stored information seems to be stable up to approximately 70 °C, except in the case of polymers with low dye content.

Responsive behavior of 4-(N-maleimido)azobenzene in polymers with aromatic main chain and side chain linked units

“…Their potential use in optics or optoelectronics, such as for information storage, optical switching devices, surface relief gratings, nonlinear optics, etc has been motive the attention of the researchers and end users. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Large area of applications of azobenzene compounds is possible due to both its photoinduced properties and wide variety of the systems that it contained. Azobenzene chromophore has unique optical and photochemical properties.…”

Crystal structure of diethyl 3,3′-(diazene-1,2-diyl)(E)-dibenzoate, C18H18N2O4

“…In this respect, the preparation of liquid crystalline materials containing azobenzene moieties appears to be very promising, because the photoinduced trans-cis isomerization of azobenzene chromophores can give rise to photochromic and optical dichroic effects [8]. Liquid crystalline polymers containing azobenzene derivatives have been widely investigated for the photo-controlled release of drugs [9], the preparation of holographic optical memories [10], and non-linear optical materials [11]. In order to enlarge the number of azobenzene derivatives, the synthesis and crystal structure of the title compound was investigated.…”

Electro-optical effect in films of azobenzene polycomplexes with cobalt

“…Films of polymeric compositions ͑PCs͒ containing azobenzene dyes 1-3 or azobenzene lateral groups [4][5][6] are of interest for their application as optically active media, in particular, as polarization sensitive media for optical holographic recording. Induced polarization appears in the PC films under the influence of linearly polarized light which is absorbed by the azobenzene groups and causes changes of isomeric structures.…”