Optical shutter driven photochemically from anisotropic polymer network containing liquid crystalline and azobenzene molecules

Polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) with macroscopically uniaxial molecular alignment containing azobenzene molecules was produced. The PDLC was transparent because of this alignment. Upon photoirradiation to cause trans-cis photoisomerization of azobenzene molecules, the PDLC became translucent even at 30 °C. The PDLC system does not require the use of polarizers and electrodes to fabricate optical devices. The light scattering is ascribed to a biphasic morphology in the system produced transiently by means of the photochemical phase transition.