Abstract
The trans-to-cis isomerization of azobenzene in a nematic liquid crystal (LC) is known to disturb the orientational order and decrease the birefringence (). Here, an increase of is newly observed in nematic LC gels with azobenzene copolymer microstructure. To clarify the mechanism, the photo-response of and the morphology of the copolymer microstructure are studied in the variant composition of the LC gels. The shape of the copolymer microstructure influences the LC alignment by the surface anchoring, leading to a lower birefringence of the LC gels. The trans-to-cis isomerization reduces the anchoring strength; hence, it recovers the uniform orientation of the LC director and reveals the increase of .
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