An optically controlled liquid crystal device using azopolymer films

We have developed a liquid crystal (LC) device that is totally controlled using light. The initial alignment is made by optically buffing the azopolymer film with two coherent argon laser beams. Surface relief gratings have been optically induced on an assembled cell filled with LC. A single linearly polarized argon laser beam is then employed to irradiate the sample and photoinduce a twisted alignment structure. This can then be erased by a circularly polarized beam. The alignment information can also be erased by heating to the glass transition temperature of the azopolymer film.