Effect of temperature and atmospheric environment on the photodegradation of some Disperse Red 1-type polymers.

The photodegradation of the azobenzene chromophore DR1 {4-[N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-4(?)-nitroazobenzene]} incorporated as a side chain or as a guest in a poly(methyl) methacrylate host has been evaluated as a function of wavelength, temperature, and the atmospheric environment. The effects of these variables on the lifetime of DR1-based electro-optic devices is quantified.