Optomechanical cycles of photochromic-polymer microsystems induced by laser irradiation

Athanassia Athanassiou; Maria Kalyva; Kleanthi Lakiotaki; Savas Georgiou; Costas Fotakis

doi:10.1117/12.501327

24 April 2003 Optomechanical cycles of photochromic-polymer microsystems induced by laser irradiation

Athanassia Athanassiou, Maria Kalyva, Kleanthi Lakiotaki, Savas Georgiou, Costas Fotakis

Proceedings Volume 5116, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.501327
Event: Microtechnologies for the New Millennium 2003, 2003, Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

Abstract

Molecular microsystems, which can operate as actuators, are of high current interest in a variety of diverse micromechanical applications. We present novel polymer-based microsystems, which undergo optomechanical cycles induced by ns laser pulses. It is demonstrated that these opto-actuators can be accurately controlled in a step-by-step manner by proper manipulation of the incident laser pulses. The photoinduced actuation relies on the reversible photochemical changes of photochromic spiropyran molecules incorporated into polymer matrices. In particular, the spiropyran molecule is converted reversibly between its isomeric forms, upon irradiation at appropriate laser wavelengths. These photochromic inter-conversions were found to activate the polymer matrix, resulting in its contraction and lengthening in a highly controllable manner. The reversible optomechancial actuation is demonstrated by laser-induced bending of microcantilevers made of photochromic polymers. The pathways of the optomechanical cycles are being well defined and correlated with stereoisomeric states of the photochromic dopants. The correlation is performed after fluorescence emission measurements of the photochromes in polymers matrices, upon appropriate pulsed laser irradiation.

Citation Download Citation

Athanassia Athanassiou, Maria Kalyva, Kleanthi Lakiotaki, Savas Georgiou, and Costas Fotakis "Optomechanical cycles of photochromic-polymer microsystems induced by laser irradiation", Proc. SPIE 5116, Smart Sensors, Actuators, and MEMS, (24 April 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.501327

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KEYWORDS

Molecules

Polymers

Ultraviolet radiation

Luminescence

Molecular lasers

Laser irradiation

Visible radiation

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