Laser inscription of surface structures and induction of optical anisotropy in azo-benzene substituted photochromic polymers and other systems

We present trial calculations of surface light-induced patterns in photochromic azo-substituted polymers. Using microscope with nanopositioning stage various birefringence and surface structures have been recorded in photochromic azo-functionalized polymers. By systematic approach to the inscription experiment and controlling cw or pulsed laser light intensity, its polarization and beam scan speed we observed the dynamics of molecular photoorientation and its relation to mass transport. We discuss properties of holographically inscribed polarization gratings and analyze them spatially by monitoring of microscopic local diffraction efficiency. We report how azo-benzene molecules can work in other systems, i.e. azobenzene functionalized POSS molecules embedded in nematic liquid crystal.