Laser implantation of photochromic molecules into polymer films: a new approach towards molecular device fabrication

Laser molecular implantation enables us to dope space-selectively a surface layer of a polymer film with intact organic molecules. Thus it is applicable towards building various kinds of devices utilizing functional organic molecules. This paper presents that photochromic molecules can be implanted in polymer surfaces by using 351 nm or 355 nm nanosecond lasers and the implanted molecules can be switched repetitively by the alternate irradiation of UV and visible lights. As an example of the space selectivity, the fabrication of gratings by laser implantation is demonstrated and evaluated from an application view point. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.