title: Nonlinear photoresponse of disordered elastomers.
abstract: We model the polarization-dependent photocontractions of polydomain nematic elastomers. Contraction initially arises by light-induced director rotation. At higher light intensity, strain recovers because the local order parameter diminishes. Thus we predict photostrains to be nonmonotonic with light intensity and predict the induction of a negative global order parameter for the system of polydomains. Nonmonotonic strains would give curvature reversal in thick samples. Our model also predicts an elongational strain response to nonpolarized light.
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0HE, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corbett
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warner
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D050866:Liquid Crystals / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D010777:Photochemistry / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D020724:Elastomers