title: External stimulus driven variable-step grating in a nematic elastomer.
abstract: We report on the creation of micro-patterns in an oriented nematic elastomer (an artificial muscle material) by photopolymerization of surface aligned nematic liquid crystal monomers. We demonstrate that microscopic techniques are able to create accurate patterns in rubber-like liquid crystal materials. Two approaches, based on one and two-photon excitations respectively, are implemented using a microscope-based setup. Due to its high spatial selectivity, the two-photon excitation mode yields finer patterns. Benefitting from the intrinsic, thermally-induced, contractile properties of the material, gratings with variable steps in response to temperature changes were fabricated.
authors: Emel
authors: E
authors: Sungur
authors: Min-Hui
authors: MH
authors: Li
authors: Gregory
authors: G
authors: Taupier
authors: Alex
authors: A
authors: Boeglin
authors: Michelangelo
authors: M
authors: Romeo
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: Mery
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Keller
authors: Kokou D
authors: KD
authors: Dorkenoo