Patterned oscillating topographical changes in photoresponsive polymer coatings

The light-induced surface topography of a liquid crystal polymer coating is brought into a patterned oscillatory deformation. A dichroic photo-responsive azobenzene is co-aligned with the planar oriented nematic liquid crystal network molecules which makes the surface deformation sensitive to polarized UV light. Locally selective actuation is achieved in coatings with a complex alignment pattern. Dynamic oscillation, as controlled by the actuation and relaxation kinetics of the polymer, is obtained by a continuous change in the polarization of the UV source. The atypical deformation at the defect lines between the domains is of special interest. The amplitude and presence of the oscillation can be manipulated by changing the ratio between blue and UV light and by varying the ambient temperature of the coating.