Light induced modifications of Langmuir-Blodgett-multilayer assemblies containing amphotropic azocopolymer

Abstract Photochromic LB-multilayers of amphotropic copolymers having rod-like azobenzene moieties as side groups which exhibit thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour in the bulk have been characterized by UV-VIS spectroscopy as well as by angular dependent and energy dispersive SAXS. Upon irradiation with UV-light the initial optical in-plane anisotropy and the vertical layered structure of LB-films can be destroyed. A new layered structure can be rebuilt on irradiation with visible light or by annealing. Using linearly polarized light for the irradiation an optical anisotropy (POA) has been induced or reversibly modified by a photoselection process.