3A03 Dynamics of Phochemical Phase Transition in Azobenzene Liquid Crystals Induced by Picosecond Laser Pulses

Abstract

Photochemical phase transition behavior of azobenzene liquid crystals (LCs) was explored by means of transient grating method. It was found that the degree of relaxation of LC alignment largely depended on the structure of azobenzene derivatives. Azobenzenes having alkyl or alkoxy chain in the tail group disturbed the alignment of LCs more efficiently than fluorinated ones.