Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Summary: We succeeded in the synthesis of azo side chain containing polysiloxanes with broad smectic C* and A phases. In these polymers the phase transition temperatures can be shifted reversibly by up to 17 °C by irradiation with UV (cis) or VIS (trans) light. Thin films of these polymers in the smectic phase (both on substrates and as free‐standing films) orient perfectly in a homeotropic manner. As a consequence, the azo chromophores do no longer absorb during a perpendicular illumination with light (dichroism). It is thus possible to crosslink these films photochemically to prepare “photoswitchable smectic LC elastomers”. The trans‐cis isomerization in homeotropically oriented LC elastomers. magnified image The trans‐cis isomerization in homeotropically oriented LC elastomers.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Beyer et al. (2005) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: