GRADIENT FORCE - THE MECHANISM FOR SURFACE-RELIEF GRATING FORMATION IN AZOBENZENE FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMERS

A model for the formation of holographic surface relief gratings in az obenzene functionalized polymers is presented. Forces leading to migra tion of polymer chains upon exposure to light in the absorption band o f the azo chromophore are attributed to dipoles interacting with the g radient of the electric held present in the polymer material. Efficien t trans-cis cycling in the azobenzenes allows cooperative movement of the chromophores under the influence of gradient forces. (C) 1998 Amer ican Institute of Physics.