Study of Formation Mechanisms of Photo-Induced Dichroism in Azo-Containing Polymer Films

Abstract

© 2018, Allerton Press, Inc. Photoinduced dichroism (PD) in azo-containing polymers can result from chromophore orientation and/or cis-isomer accumulation. The PD formation mechanism of azochrommophores DO3 (DisperseOrange 3) doped in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) at a temperature varying from –20 to +120 °C is studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. It is shown that the main PD formation mechanism at T < 0°C and T > 60°C is cis-isomer accumulation and trans-isomer photoorientation, respectively.