OPTICALLY-CONTROLLED IMAGE STORAGE IN AZOBENZENE LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMER FILMS
偶氮苯侧链液晶聚合物薄膜中图象存储的光学控制

Image storage based on photo-induced alignment in azobenzene liquid-crystalline polymerfilms is reported. Measurements reveal that the polymer film p0ssesses photo-induced birefringence ofIarge magnitude and the characteristic of long-term optical storage. The photo-induced alignmentprocess is used for storing image. The stored image is read from the film placed between two crossedpoIarizers. It is demonstrated clearly that the alignment of the azo chromophores as well as the storedimage can be easily controlled by choosing the appropriate polarization of the irradiating light or byrotating the film.