Monte Carlo kinetics for the simulation of photoreactions in polymers

We present a new method for describing photokinetics in the liquid crystalline or amorphous glassy state of polymers. A stochastic model has been developed in order to simulate the ordering process in azo side chain polymers which is induced by photoselective isomerization cycles. The dependence of the reorientation process on photochemical and thermal transition rate constants as well as the influence of matrix rigidity and cooperative interactions between the side chains is explained. With additional information about the molecular polarizabilities, the optical properties of the system, e.g. the evolution of birefringence, can be evaluated directly by this method.