Microstructure of a poled surface-relief grating and its electro-optic response

Abstract

The microstructure of a poled surface-relief grating of an azobenzene side-chain polymer film is investigated. From the in situ monitoring of diffraction efficiency and second-harmonic generation, as well as dynamiccontact electrostatic force microscopy images, the point group symmetry of C 2u is identified. The polarizationdependent electro-optic measurement of the reflected diffraction order further confirms the optically biaxial structure of the poled surface-relief grating. © 2005 Optical Society of America.