Diarylethene microcrystals make directional jumps upon ultraviolet irradiation

Microcrystals of a diarylethene {1,2-bis[5(')-methyl-2(')-(2(')-pyridyl)thiazolyl]perfluorocyclo-pentene} undergo jumps upon photoirradiation. These photochromic crystals present molecular structural changes upon irradiation with ultraviolet light because of reversible photocyclization reactions. When the energy absorbed by crystals reaches about 10 mu J, the uniaxial stress induced in the crystal lattice relaxes through directional jumps. If one prevents crystals from jumping, then parallel, equidistant cracks appear on crystal surfaces. These photomechanical effects could result from a Grinfeld surface instability. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.