Near-field optical writing on azo-polymethacrylate spin-coated films

We report on near-field optical writing and topographic reading of spin-coated azo-polymethacrylate films with subwavelength resolution. The sample is functionalized with photosensitive side chain azobenzene groups. These photochromes are locally illuminated at 325 and 488 nm through the aperture of a metalized tapered optical fiber. The printing on subwavelength scale is due to optically induced cooperative rearranging of the polymeric chain. It is read in situ in the surface topography imaged by shear-force microscopy. The stability of the optically produced pattern and the cycling characteristics of the photoisomerization of the azobenzene molecules make these samples suitable for optical nanolithography and high density optical data storage. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.