arXiv · physics/0508004
An optically activated cantilever using photomechanical effects in dye-doped polymer fibers
Abstract
We report on what we believe is the first demonstration of an optically activated cantilever due to photomechanical effects in a dye-doped polymer optical fiber. The fiber is observed to bend when light is launched off-axis. The displacement angle monotonically increases as a function of the distance between the illumination point and the fiber axis, and is consistent with differential light-induced length changes. The photothermal and photo-reorientation mechanisms, each with its own distinct response time, are proposed to explain the observed time dependence. The measured degree of bending is consistent with a model that we have proposed which includes coupling between photoisomerization and heating. Most importantly, we have discovered that at high light intensity, a cooperative release of stress results in cis-to-trans isomerization that yields a large and abrupt length change.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Shaoping Bian, Dirk Robinson, Mark G. Kuzyk. 2006-05-18. An optically activated cantilever using photomechanical effects in dye-doped polymer fibers. https://doi.org/10.1364/josab.23.000697
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.