Topological reconstruction of a stretched transparent surface relief grating via an optical diffraction pattern.

Abstract

The optical characterization of transparent and stretchable patterned surfaces replicated from the fabrication of quasicrystal structures on azopolymer thin films is presented. The complexity of the quasicrystal surface fabrication is obtained by superimposed multiple light exposures. Azopolymer surface patterns are used as a replica molding master. The microscopic elongation of nanocavities induced by macroscopic stretchings of the elastomeric quasicrystal replication is characterized via optical diffraction. An original numerical method is presented to reconstruct the structured surface deduced from the optical diffraction measurements. The measurements show that drastic topologic changes, e.g., going from cavities to a canal, happens on the surface. This could be ingeniously used for creating actionable structured surfaces or nanoparticles trapping surfaces.