Photoinduced motions

Natanson A, Rochon P. (2002) Photoinduced motions in azo-containing polymers. Chem Rev 102 4139 175... 

To summarize, there are three types of photoinduced motions at the molecular level, at the nanometer, or domain, level, and at the micrometer (macroscopic) level. All are the result of photoinduced isomerization of the azobenzene groups. One interesting direction of our research was to try to exploit these phenomena for their photonic applications. We have demonstrated, at least as proof of principle, a few possible photonic functions for the new materials we synthesized. Some of these are summarized in publications they will also be reviewed here. 

Natansohn, A., Rochon, P. (1997). Azobenzene-containing polymers Diptal and holc aphic storage. In ACS Symposium Series Photonic and Optoelectronic Polymers (K. J. Wynne and S. A. Jenekhe, Eds.), Vol. 672,236-249, American Chemical Society Washington, DC. Natansohn, A., Rochon, P. (1999). Photoinduced motions in azobenzene-bashd mnorphous polymers. Adv. Mater. 11,1387-1391. 

Surface-relief grating (SRG, regular topological surface modification) formed via irradiation with an interference pattern of coherent light has been demonstrated only recently/ " and is perhaps the most attractive target in the current research of azo polymers (Chapters 13 and 14 of this book focus on this subject). It is still unclear whether there are any common mechanisms involved between SRG formation and the photomechanical response observed in monolayers described in Section 15.4.1. Nevertheless, with regard to photoinduced motions in Az polymers, it is quite important to proceed with SRG experiments. 

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