Dual‐Mode Switching of Diffraction Gratings Based on Azobenzene‐ Polymer‐Stabilized Liquid Crystals

Dual-mode switching of diffraction efficiencies, using either light or an electric field, is possible with a diffraction grating prepared from an azobenzene-polymer-stabilized liquid crystal. Light-induced switching resulted from the cis–trans photoisomerization of the azobenzene unit, resulting in the nematic-to-isotropic phase transition of the liquid crystal (dark fringes in the Figure). This switching behavior is reversible and repeatable for many cycles.