Abstract: Anovel polyester with a high density of azobenzene groups in the main chain was synthesized by ester-interchange reaction of ethyl-4-4-[(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylamino]-phenylazobenzoate. The structure and properties of the azo polyester were characterized by ¹HNMR, GPC, TA, UV-Vis and others. On irradiation with a linearly polarized laser beam, birefringence was induced in the azo polymer film to the level of 007. Surface profile grating was optically inscribed upon exposure to an interference pattern of Ar⁺laser beam at modest intensities. The first order of diffraction efficiency of the surface relief grating was up to 18%.

Key words: Azo polymer, Surface relief grating, Birefringence, Photo-responsive behavior