Light-controlled polarization switches in azobenzene-containing polymers

Ivanka Mancheva; Elena Nacheva; Tsveta Petrova; Natalia Tomova; Violeta Dragostinova; Todor Todorov; Ludmila Nikolova

doi:10.1117/12.519487

4 November 2003 Light-controlled polarization switches in azobenzene-containing polymers

Ivanka Mancheva, Elena Nacheva, Tsveta Petrova, Natalia Tomova, Violeta Dragostinova, Todor Todorov, Ludmila Nikolova

Proceedings Volume 5226, 12th International School on Quantum Electronics: Laser Physics and Applications; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.519487
Event: 12th International School on Quantum Electronics Laser Physics and Applications, 2002, Varna, Bulgaria

Abstract

Three new side-chain cyan-azopolymers have been synthesized for the purposes of optical storage and processing of information. A very large birefringence (> 0.05) is induced in them on illumination with linearly polarized Ar laser beam (λ = 488 nm). It has been shown that the vaue of the photoinduced birefringence depends on the length of the side chains of the polymers. The effect has long memory time -- more than six months. We have used the self-induced rotation of the polarization ellipse in photobirefringent materials to induce chiral structures in the polymers. Total twist angles of the photoinduced spirals more than 90° have been achieved. The new polymers are suitable for the fabrication of light-controlled polarization switches.

Citation Download Citation

Ivanka Mancheva, Elena Nacheva, Tsveta Petrova, Natalia Tomova, Violeta Dragostinova, Todor Todorov, and Ludmila Nikolova "Light-controlled polarization switches in azobenzene-containing polymers", Proc. SPIE 5226, 12th International School on Quantum Electronics: Laser Physics and Applications, (4 November 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.519487

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