Photoinduced chirality in azobenzene-containing polymer systems.
In this article, we will review the phenomena on circularly-polarized-light (CPL)-induced chirality in polymeric systems with photochromophores in their side-chain or main-chain. In the side-chain polymeric systems, the photoinduced chirality arises from superstructural chirality, i.e., helix structure, via aggregating of achiral azobenzene molecules in side chains. On the other hand, in the main-chain polymeric system, the macroscopically induced chirality can originate from individual chirality of chromophores in their main-chain backbone. The CPL irradiation on polymeric films with photochromophores to produce macroscopic chirality has been realized as potentially useful in the development of optical-switching, optical-storage, and light-driven devices.
Choi
Suk-Won
SW
Department of Organic and Polymeric Materials, Tokyo Institute of Technology, O-okayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8552, Japan.
Kawauchi
Susumu
S
Ha
Na Young
NY
Takezoe
Hideo
H