Abstract.
Light-induced surface modification of a series of liquid-crystalline side-chain azobenzene polyesters which have the same main- and side-chain structure but eleven different substituents on the azobenzene is investigated. Using a transmission mask as well as single focused beams we show that the formation of the surface relief is dependent on the substituents. In both experiments irradiation with p-polarized light generates peaks for the CN, CF3, CH3 and F substituents, while for a Cl substituent valleys are observed. Also s-polarized light is found to produce surface deformations. An amorphous azobenzene polyester was included in the study for comparison. The results point to a mechanism of the surface relief phenomenon, in which the architecture of the polyesters plays a crucial role.
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Received: 11 September 2000 / Revised version: 4 December 2000 / Published online: 21 February 2001
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Helgert, M., Wenke, L., Hvilsted, S. et al. Surface relief measurements in side-chain azobenzene polyesters with different substituents . Appl Phys B 72, 429–433 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s003400100530
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s003400100530