Shape memory of a polymer grating surface fabricated by two-beam interference lithography

Abstract

Switchable and reversible optical elements have potential applications in self-adaptive optics. Shape-memory polymer devices with adaptive properties could be easily switched under environment or field stimuli. Here, the laser beam interference technique was used to realize the periodic grating structures of the shape-memory polymer, and memory and recovery of the grating structures were performed. A one-dimensional grating structure was fabricated from dual-beam interference lithography of a nanosecond laser and underwent pressure in a condition of 195°C. The vertical height of the grating was reduced, and the diffraction light was weakened. When the sample was cooled down to room temperature, the morphology of the grating could be kept. After raising the ambient temperature of the sample to 120°C, the morphology of the grating was recovered to the original state, which realized the shape-memory function.

Light and Shape‐Memory Polymers: Characterization, Preparation, Stimulation, and Application

“…micro/nanograting height. [306] Such SMP smart grating has great potential applications in the fields that require high-precision structures.…”

“…The diffraction intensity of the intermediate stage can be changed by varying the micro/nanograting height. [ 306 ] Such SMP smart grating has great potential applications in the fields that require high‐precision structures.…”

The Impact of the Azo-Chromophore Sort on the Features of the Supramolecular Azopolyimide Films Desired to Be Used as Substrates for Flexible Electronics

“…Some reports state that in high glass transition polymers, the SRGs are the outcome of optically induced mass transport with insignificant thermal effects [ 12 ], whereas others take into account thermal ablation and photodegradation processes [ 13 ]. Production of bulk birefringence and engraving of SRGs in azo-polymer systems afford their use in holographic devices [ 14 ], liquid crystal displays [ 15 ], optical switching [ 16 ], light couplers for waveguides [ 17 ], optical storage [ 18 ], and shape memory devices [ 19 ]. Based on the above described molecular phenomena, the researchers were focused on the development of SRGs on several kinds of polymer structures containing azo-chromophores, such as modified chitosan [ 20 ], polymer salt [ 21 ], polymethyl methacrylate [ 22 ], polystyrene [ 23 ], poly(vinyl alcohol) with azobenzene side chains [ 24 ], and polyimides (PIs) [ 25 ].…”