Photomechanical effect explained

Photomechanical effect is the change in the shape of a material when it is exposed to light. This effect was first documented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1880.^[1] More recently, Kenji Uchino demonstrated that a photostrictive material could be used for legs in the construction of a miniature optically-powered "walker".^[2]

The most common mechanism of photomechanical effect is light-induced heating.

Photomechanical materials may be considered smart materials due to their natural change implemented by external factors.

See also

• Smart materials

External links

• The Nonlinear Optics Web Site

Notes and References

1. A. G. . Bell. Alexander Graham Bell. On the Production and Reproduction of Sound by Light. Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. 29. 115 . 1881.
2. Uchino . Kenji . Cross . Leslie E. . Electrostriction and Its Interrelation with Other Anharmonic Properties of Materials . Japanese Journal of Applied Physics . Japan Society of Applied Physics . 19 . 4 . 1980 . 0021-4922 . 10.1143/jjap.19.l171 . L171–L173. 1980JaJAP..19L.171U . 94553913 .