A new class of spatial light modulator using a crosslinkable azobenzene nematic liquid crystal

We studied how the orientation of photoreactive molecules is influenced by the crosslinked polymer wall formed on the alignment surface in crosslinkab le azobenzene nematic liquid crystal cells and developed a novel concept of spatial light modulator. Just on the surface irradiated Ar ion laser, the crosslinked polymer wall was spontaneously fabricated. The optical microsco pe observation, when the intensity of observation light increases, liquid c rystal molecules in the area with the crosslinked polymer wall can switch b etween homogeneous and homeotropic state. The response time and the thresho ld value are able to be regulated by the degree of crosslinking of azobenze ne liquid crystal molecules. I has been concluded that the photoinduced swi tching of this device is originated from the competition between the attenu ated anchoring force tuned by the crosslinked polymer wall and the molecula r reorientation via the tuans-cis-trans photoisomerization cycles of the az obenzene moieties. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.