Open AccessExternal stimulus driven variable-step grating in a nematic elastomer
Author(s) -
Emel Sungur,
M.-H. Li,
Grégory Taupier,
Alex Boeglin,
Michelangelo Romeo,
Stéphane Méry,
P. Keller,
Kokou D. Dorkenoo
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.15.006784
Subject(s) - liquid crystal , materials science , elastomer , optics , grating , photopolymer , diffraction grating , natural rubber , diffraction efficiency , spatial light modulator , spatial frequency , planar , optoelectronics , polymer , monomer , composite material , physics , computer graphics (images) , computer science
We report on the creation of micro-patterns in an oriented nematic elastomer (an artificial muscle material) by photopolymerization of surface aligned nematic liquid crystal monomers. We demonstrate that microscopic techniques are able to create accurate patterns in rubber-like liquid crystal materials. Two approaches, based on one and two-photon excitations respectively, are implemented using a microscope-based setup. Due to its high spatial selectivity, the two-photon excitation mode yields finer patterns. Benefitting from the intrinsic, thermally-induced, contractile properties of the material, gratings with variable steps in response to temperature changes were fabricated.