Abstract
Alignment of LCs is photocontrollable by photochemical modifications of molecules introduced to substrate surfaces. In these phenomena, the reorientation of LC molecules on surfaces occurs first, followed by the transfer of the reorientation to a bulk layer. The photoinduced reorientation of ultra-thin films of LCs on command surfaces was investigated. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique was mainly used in this study on account of the high sensitivity to changes in optical properties and thickness of ultra-thin films and the availability to estimate molecular orientation of LCs. SPR spectra displayed reversible changes when the sample was irradiated alternatively with UV (365nm) and visible (440nm) light, indicating that the reorientation of LC molecules follows the photoisomefization of the surface azobenzene.
