Topography from topology: photoinduced surface features generated in liquid crystal polymer networks.

McConney, Michael E; Martinez, Angel; Tondiglia, Vincent P; Lee, Kyung Min; Langley, Derrick; Smalyukh, Ivan I; White, Timothy J · Adv Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Films subsumed with topological defects are transformed into complex, topographical surface features with light irradiation of azobenzene-functionalized liquid crystal polymer networks (azo-LCNs). Using a specially designed optical setup and photoalignment materials, azo-LCN films containing either singular or multiple defects with strengths ranging from |½| to as much as |10| are examined. The local order of an azo-LCN material for a given defect strength dictates a complex, mechanical response observed as topographical surface features.

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