Reversible optical structuring of polymer waveguides doped with photochromic molecules

We show that polymeric films doped with the photochromic molecule 1,8a-dihydro-2(4-iodophenyl)-1,1-azulenedicarbonitrile can be reversibly structured by light. We discuss the relevant material properties of the photochromic molecule in solution as well as in polymer films and demonstrate light-induced waveguides at the telecommunication wavelength of 1.313 mu m. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)00233-3].