Mesogenic versus non-mesogenic azodye confined in a soft-matter template for realization of optically switchable diffraction gratings†
Abstract
We report on fabrication and characterization of two different kinds of optically controlled diffraction gratings realized in soft composite materials. The periodic microstructures have been obtained by combining a photolithographic technique and a chemical etching process. The samples have been infiltrated with two classes of photosensitive materials, and then characterized. The first material is a common azo-dye dissolved in a liquid crystal (