All-optical patterning in azobenzene polymers and amorphous chalcogenides

Abstract

A review of recent progress in optical recording of surface relief structures in the films of two classes of photoresponsive non-crystalline materials (azobenzene-containing polymers and amorphous chalcogenides) is presented. Various aspects related to light-driven macroscopic effects for these materials where stimulated surface patterning through selective mass transport process due to the interaction of matter with polarized light are discussed. Self-assembling processes initiated by polarized light illumination resulting in the formation of multiscale periodic reliefs on the photosensitive material surface are analyzed. Extensive experimental data describing different aspects of photomanipulated surface relief patterning using vectorial optical fields and structured light beams are summarized. Anisotropic nanoscale motion in amorphous azopolymer and chalcogenide films induced by a tightly focused polarized laser beam is considered. Similarities and differences in the manifestation of competition and cooperation between polarization-driven and intensity-driven mechanisms responsible for material displacement in chalcogenide glasses and amorphous azopolymers are analyzed. Possibilities for optimization and speeding up the process of holographic recording of periodic relief gratings in amorphous azopolymer and chalcogenide films at various configurations for combination of optical beams to produce 2D and 3D relief architecture on the film surface are discussed.