Mean-field theory of optical storage in liquid crystalline side-chain polymers

Liquid crystalline side-chain polymers are very promising materials for optical storage due to the high long-term stability (several years) and the large values of photoinduced anisotropy (Δn ≈ 1). In this paper a simple mean-field theory of the storage process is presented and compared to experimen...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Optical materials 1998, Vol.9 (1), p.212-215
Main Authors: Pedersen, Thomas Garm, Johansen, Per Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Application fields
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications)
Holographic recording materials
optical storage media
Optical materials
Optics
Physics
Polymer industry, paints, wood
Polymers and organics
Technology of polymers
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Summary:Liquid crystalline side-chain polymers are very promising materials for optical storage due to the high long-term stability (several years) and the large values of photoinduced anisotropy (Δn ≈ 1). In this paper a simple mean-field theory of the storage process is presented and compared to experiments for azobenzene polyesters. The multi-domain structure of the polymer material is taken into account and inter-molecular interactions are described using a Maier-Saupe mean-field theory. We demonstrate how the mean-field model combined with a molecular reorientation mechanism based on photoinduced trans → cis isomerization provides an explanation for the stability as well as the intensity dependence of the photoinduced anisotropy. A detailed comparison with experimental observations shows an excellent agreement over the entire range of intensities.
ISSN:0925-3467
1873-1252
DOI:10.1016/S0925-3467(97)00106-7