Patent ID: 6512085
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A method of providing a polymeric film with optical anisotropy by applying a polarized light to at least one of, a polymeric film containing a photoisomerizable group in a molecule, and a polymeric film containing a photoisomerizable molecule, in which the photoisomerizable group or the photoisomerizable molecule has a photochromic property capable of being isomerized by a thermal back reaction after being isomerized by light, the method comprising the two successive steps of:applying a polarized light to the polymeric film; and shutting off the polarized light and leaving the polymeric film as it is, wherein a temperature of the polymeric film is controlled for enhancing the orientation of the at least one of the photoisomerizable group and the photoisomerizable molecule, induced by the thermal back reaction in at least one of the two steps.