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A photochromic (PC) reaction is a switching activity at the molecular level whereby the molecular structure changes photochemically and reversibly. The PC reaction is expected to serve as the basic principle for creating new, next-generation photo-chemical materials. To realize the stable and efficient use of the PC reaction, material design - including that of reaction media - is most important. One area being studied is the "Photochromic Liquid Crystal," where the structural changes of PC molecules are transmitted to and amplified in liquid crystal molecules, which are reaction media. A representative achievement of studies is the discovery of a new system (command surface) in which the orientation of nematic liquid crystal changes photochemically by means of the PC reaction of an organic molecule (e.g., azobenzene) membrane formed on the substrate's surface. We are continuing detailed analyses of the relationship between this phenomenon and the molecular and membrane structures.
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