Premium
Topography from Topology: Photoinduced Surface Features Generated in Liquid Crystal Polymer Networks
Author(s) -
McConney Michael E.,
Martinez Angel,
Tondiglia Vincent P.,
Lee Kyung Min,
Langley Derrick,
Smalyukh Ivan I.,
White Timothy J.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.201301891
Subject(s) - materials science , polymer , surface (topology) , liquid crystal , nanotechnology , topology (electrical circuits) , optoelectronics , composite material , geometry , electrical engineering , mathematics , engineering
Films subsumed with topological defects are transformed into complex, topographical surface features with light irradiation of azobenzene‐functionalized liquid crystal polymer networks (azo‐LCNs). Using a specially designed optical setup and photoalignment materials, azo‐LCN films containing either singular or multiple defects with strengths ranging from |½| to as much as |10| are examined. The local order of an azo‐LCN material for a given defect strength dictates a complex, mechanical response observed as topographical surface features.