Supramolecular azobenzene-based materials for optical generation of microstructures

We propose a concept of supramolecular materials for effective all-optical generation of surface relief structures and optical anisotropy. The materials are based on the ionic interactions between photochromic azobenzene units and polyelectrolytes. The materials are easy to produce and they allow the inscription of the 1.8 mu m deep surface relief gratings. Moreover, the induced structures were thermally very stable. Both distinctive features of the new materials, namely, the dynamic behavior of molecular orientation and the high thermal stability of surface structures, have been explained in terms of the network of oppositely charged ions inherent to the materials. Due to the simplicity and versatility of the concept, the new family of materials for different applications in optics, sensorics, and biology may be designed.