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A new class of spatial light modulator using a crosslinkable azobenzene nematic liquid crystal
Author(s) -
Seomun SanSeong,
Fukuda Takashi,
Matsuda Hiro,
Miyachi Hiroshi,
Kato Masao
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/1099-1581(200008/12)11:8/12<579::aid-pat48>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - azobenzene , liquid crystal , homeotropic alignment , materials science , photoisomerization , polymer , molecule , spatial light modulator , optics , optoelectronics , photochemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , isomerization , chemistry , catalysis , physics
We studied how the orientation of photoreactive molecules is influenced by the crosslinked polymer wall formed on the alignment surface in crosslinkable azobenzene nematic liquid crystal cells and developed a novel concept of spatial light modulator. Just on the surface irradiated Ar ion laser, the crosslinked polymer wall was spontaneously fabricated. The optical microscope observation, when the intensity of observation light increases, liquid crystal molecules in the area with the crosslinked polymer wall can switch between homogeneous and homeotropic state. The response time and the threshold value are able to be regulated by the degree of crosslinking of azobenzene liquid crystal molecules. It has been concluded that the photoinduced switching of this device is originated from the competition between the attenuated anchoring force tuned by the crosslinked polymer wall and the molecular reorientation via the trans–cis–trans photoisomerization cycles of the azobenzene moieties. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.