Surface relief structures on azo polymer films

All optical fabrication of Surface Relief Grating (SRG) on azobenzene funct ionalized polymer films is reviewed in this article. The uniqueness of the single step erasable photofabrication of large amplitude surface relief str uctures on azo polymer films is mainly due to the photoisomerization and ph otoanisotropic behavior of the azobenzene group. The design and synthesis o f several classes of suitable azobenzene functionalized polymers for the SR G formation is presented. Experimental studies are carried out in a systema tic manner to understand the chemical and physical intricacies involved in the SRG formation process. Structural requirements and their limitations fo r the efficient fabrication of SRGs on azo functionalized polymer films are also discussed. Understanding the fundamental mechanism of SRG formation o n the azo functionalized polymer films enables us to make use of these stru ctures in a variety of applications.