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Physical processes in azobenzene polymers on irradiation with polarized light
Author(s) -
Holme N. C. R.,
Nikolova L.,
Norris T. B.,
Hvilsted S.,
Pedersen M.,
Berg R. H.,
Rasmussen P. H.,
Ramanujam P. S.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
macromolecular symposia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.257
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-3900
pISSN - 1022-1360
DOI - 10.1002/masy.19991370110
Subject(s) - azobenzene , materials science , irradiation , polymer , holography , isomerization , chromophore , excited state , photochemistry , polarization (electrochemistry) , spectroscopy , optics , molecule , polarization microscopy , optoelectronics , chemical physics , microscopy , chemistry , atomic physics , physics , composite material , organic chemistry , catalysis , quantum mechanics , nuclear physics
Azobenzenes can serve as model compounds for the study of transcis isomerization in more complex molecules. We have performed time‐resolved spectroscopy in solutions containing free azobenzene chromophores and diols with a view to obtaining the energy levels and lifetimes of the excited states. A transition route based on experimental results for the theoretically calculated energy level scheme is proposed. Physical observations of surface relief in thin films of azobenzene polymers when irradiated with polarized light are reported. These include two beam polarization holographic observations and single beam transmission measurements through a mask, followed by atomic force microscope and profiler investigations. It is concluded that none of the prevalent theories can explain all the observed facts.