The photochromic reaction of an azobenzene (Az) pendent polymer film regulated the alignment and the texture of the nematic liquid crystalline (LC) phase. The nematic phase exhibited three characteristic textures, marbled, homeotropic, and schlieren textures, and one of which was alternatively obtained on the photochromic Az polymer surface by controlling the exposure. The texture change was accompanied by the birefringence change of the nematic phase and the absorbance change of the doped dichroic dye. Disappearance of homogeneously aligned domains of the nematic phase corresponded to deformation of an oriented structure of the Az polymer. The multifarious LC textures are discussed in regard to the morphological changes of the oriented Az surface.
