Nonlinear Dynamics and Thermodynamics of Azobenzene Polymer Networks

The nonlinear photomechanics and thermodynamics of azobenzene liquid crystal polymer networks is studied to quantify interactions between wavelength dependent molecular conformation changes that occur within a polymer network. The transfer of energy from light to liquid crystals to a polymer network strongly depends on the wavelength and polarization of light where trans or rod shaped azobenzene chromophores convert to a cis or kinked conformation and simultaneously may relax back to the trans state but in a different orientation. This behavior requires an understanding of the dynamic interactions between light and azobenzene molecules and thermodynamics of light-matter interactions. We investigate this behavior by quantifying transmission and absorption of electro-magnetic energy with stored energy within the solid material. This is conducted by introducing a set of optical order parameters coupled to photochemistry that evolve as a function of electromagnetic radiation.