Polarization patterning by laser-induced phase change in ferroelectric polymer films

Polarization patterns were written on ferroelectric poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene) copolymer Langmuir–Blodgett films by heating into the paraelectric phase by laser illumination using two methods. In the first method, patterns were produced by direct writing by a focused continuous-wave laser beam that was moved across the sample. This method affords the greatest flexibility. In the second method, the patterns were generated simultaneously with a pulsed laser using a beam interference method. This method produces highly regular patterns quickly over large areas and affords higher patterning resolution. The patterns produced by both methods could be erased and rewritten, making this technique useful for producing reconfigurable nonvolatile memories, infrared imaging sensors, or acoustic imaging transducers.