Dynamics of Stimulus Response of Swollen Nematic Elastomers

We characterize the dynamics of the responses of swollen nematic elastomers to temperature variation and electric fields. We reveal that the swelling dynamics Of nematic elastomers is composed of the shape and volume variation modes with remarkably different characteristic times. The resultant dynamics significantly differ from that of isotropic elastomers governed by only volume variation mode. The swollen nematic elastomers under electric fields exhibit a macroscopic deformation together with a significant, change in birefringence as a result of director rotation. We examine the mechanical and optical response times upon the imposition and removal of fields as a function of applied voltage.