Light-Driven Modulation Of Scalar Order Parameter For High Spatial Resolution

Improving the spatial resolution of the light-modulated scalar order parameter allows high-precision manipulation of functional molecules in the liquid crystals. This study shows that the poor resolution caused by the diffusion of azobenzene is overcome through the polymerization of an azobenzene monomer in the nematic phase. The photo-induced spatial variation of birefringence of non-polymerized and polymerized samples is quantitatively investigated under the same stimulating light. The resolution of the non-polymerized sample decays with time, while the polymerized sample can maintain this feature close to that of the stimulating light.