Electric-field-assisted acceleration of the photostimulated nematic-isotropic transition

The application of an electric field accelerates the recovery of the conformational E isomer from the photoinduced Z isomer Rapid return of the equilibrium nematic phase from the photo-stimulated isotropic phase of liquid crystals provides a tool to control recovery duration; useful in tailoring the value of birefringence in optical devices. Measurements point to the influence of the electric field as a general feature applicable to all systems with photoisomerizable groups.