Photoinduced micropatterning by polymorphic crystallization of a photochromic diarylethene in a polymer film

A photochromic diarylethene was found to crystallize rapidly from the amorphous state in poly(methyl methacrylate) by heating at 130 degrees C. The diarylethene amorphous film was successfully patterned to form microcrystals upon ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation through a photomask, showing a high resolution as good as similar to 4 mu m under optimal conditions.