44‐1: Invited Paper: Absorption Problem of Multilayer Optical Structures Based on High Anchoring Azo‐dye Photoalignment of Polymerizable Liquid Crystals

Chemical compatibility of water‐soluble azo‐dye photoalignment materials opens up new possibilities of thin‐film optical devices fabrication with advanced characteristics combining several polymerizable liquid crystal layers into multilayer structures of broadband quarter or half wave retarders. However when the azodye photoalignment layer is placed in‐between two layers of polymerizable liquid crystal significant increase of dye absorption is observed. Analysis of this ‘Absorption Problem’ concludes azodye inter‐layer field is the cause of polarization and cis‐trans equilibrium change. New water‐soluble azo‐dye photoalignment material AmA‐2522 is suggested as perspective problem solution.