Thermally stable holographic surface relief gratings and switchable optical anisotropy in films of an azobenzene-containing polyelectrolyte.

In a search for effective polymer film material for holographic surface patterning, commercially available azobenzene polyelectrolyte has been employed. Films of good optical quality in a wide range of thickness were produced. Optical dichroism up to 0.19 was induced upon irradiation with linearly polarized light. Surface relief gratings with amplitudes up to 630 nm and diffraction efficiency of 37% were inscribed by holographic exposure to the light of 488 nm. Due to the ionic nature of the material, the relief was stable at least up to the temperature of decomposition (ca. 200 degrees C) but could be erased and inscribed again by light.